THE Rural Health Unit 3 (RHU3) of Mabalacat City has warned residents against leptospirosis, a disease acquired from bacteria contained in animal urine.
The city's RHU3 said people should avoid floodwaters to prevent infection.
"Iwasan ang paglusong sa baha o pagbabad sa maruming tubig na maaaring magdulot ng sakit na leptospirosis, isang bacteria infection mula sa ihi ng daga o iba pang hayop," the rural health unit added.
The City Government is giving away free medicines for the disease, leptospirosis prophylaxis, the RHU said.
"May gamot (leptospirosis prophylaxis) na pwedeng inumin ng mga lumusong sa baha o maruming tubig upang maiwasan ang magkaroon ng leptospirosis. Ito ay libreng makukuha sa MCG-RHU3," the health center added.
Humans can become infected with the virus through contact with urine or other body fluids except saliva from infected animals, including rats, horse, goats, dogs, pigs, among others.
"Kadalasan humahalo ang ihi ng mga hayop sa tubig baha at putik na pumapasok sa mga sugat o bitak sa balat, mata, ilong at bibig ng tao kapag lumusong ng wala proteksiyon," the city's RHU said.
Leptospirosis symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, yellow skin and eyes, red eyes, abdominal pain and others.