Leptospirosis Cases Surge in Bulacan Amid Widespread Flooding

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — Cases of leptospirosis in Bulacan have surged since Aug. 15 as the province suffered widespread flooding brought by recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon. Records from the Provincial Health Office showed that 394 suspected leptospirosis cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Sept. 5 this year – more than double the 158 cases reported during the same period last year. Patricia Ann Alvaro-Castro, health education and promotion officer of the provincial health office, confirmed to The STAR that 20 leptospirosis-related deaths have been reported this year The fatalities were all adult males from Hagonoy, Malolos and Bocaue towns as well as Malolos City. Gov. Daniel Fernando has ordered the implementation of strict preventive measures to curb the further increase of leptospirosis cases and prevent the situation from worsening in the coming weeks. Castro said the provincial health office is closely monitoring flood-affected areas and evacuation centers, and works hand-in-hand with municipal and city disease surveillance units to ensure accurate data collection, analyze reports and conduct active case finding on the ground. She added that public hospitals in the province are being monitored to ensure prompt management and treatment of leptospirosis patients. The health office recently distributed additional supplies of doxycycline, ointments for athlete’s foot and other essential medicines to city and municipal health offices, government hospitals, government offices and institutions seeking assistance. As of yesterday morning, provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer Manuel Lukban Jr. said 70 barangays in Malolos as well as in Calumpit, Hagonoy and Paombong towns remained flooded.