Leptospirosis
FOLLOWING the widespread devastation caused by recent natural disasters, there’s now the need to make medicines readily available in villages and schools.
It is public knowledge that during calamities, such as flooding, government authorities use public school buildings and barangay halls as temporary evacuation centers.
A top official of the House of Representatives has urged the Department of Health (DOH) to provide village centers and schools with ample anti-leptospirosis drugs.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, according to the World Health Organization. It is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
Its symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, vomiting, muscle aches, red eyes and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin made the call following reports that some local government units (LGUs) find it hard to secure doxycline from DOH regional offices.
Doxycline is an anti-biotic prophylaxis that prevents infection. Human infection happens through direct contact with the urine of infected rats and other animals.
To be effective, doxycline should be taken as soon as possible because leptospirosis easily reaches an irreversible stage, said Garin, a House deputy speaker.
During severe typhoons and other weather disturbances, roads and highways are flooded and even bridges are destroyed or damaged by rampaging floodwaters.
“Dahil hindi makadaan ang mga sasakyan sa mga binahang kalsada ay imposibleng makakuha ng doxycline sa regional office ng DOH,” lamented a barangay health worker.
Let’s then make sure that people in far-flung communities have access to doxycline and other drugs during natural disasters.
