AnaKalusugan Rep. Ray T. Reyes has appealed to the government to intensify its anti-leptospirosis drive to increase awareness of the disease and its prevention.
At the same time, Reyes said anti-leptospirosis drugs should be stockpiled at evacuation centers during the rainy season as diseases like such were likely to surge
during typhoons.
“Leptospirosis is a preventable disease. During these times of flooding, I hope prophylaxis would be readily available to our countrymen who need to go to the evacuation centers,” Reyes, vice chair of the House Committee on Health, said.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Maricel V. Cruz
Reyes said having leptospirosis medication readily available at evacuation centers is a proactive approach to preventing the spread of the disease during calamities.
Citing data from the Department of Health (DOH) during the first six months, Reyes said 1,582 cases of leptospirosis were recorded from Jan. 1 to June 3, 2023. This was a 72 percent jump from the 920 reported cases during the same period last year.
“Prevention is better than cure and we hope that we can protect our kababayans from leptospirosis before it reaches an irreversible stage,” Reyes stated. Maricel V. Cruz