Bulacan Logs 5 Leptospirosis Deaths as Cases Near 400

Bulacan has recorded five leptospirosis deaths as cases rose to nearly 400 due to continued flooding, with coastal towns including Hagonoy, Paombong, Calumpit, and this capital city still inundated, data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) on Friday showed. According to the PDRRMO, the most recent fatality was a 38-year-old male from Muzon Proper in the City of San Jose del Monte who died on August 12, four days after being admitted to the Bulacan Medical Center. Other recorded deaths include a 60-year-old male from Santa Cruz, Hagonoy, who died on July 24; a 47-year-old female from Barangay Mapulang Lupa in Pandi who died on July 3; a 13-year-old male from Barangay Caysio, Sta. Maria, who died on June 22; and a 53-year-old male from Barangay Tibagan, San Miguel, who passed away on March 23. Dr. Hijordis Marushka Celis, Provincial Health Officer II and Head of the Bulacan Provincial Health Office, reported that total leptospirosis cases in the province have reached 394 since January. Celis said that symptoms typically appear two weeks after exposure to floodwaters. With several areas still flooded, health authorities are prioritizing the distribution of doxycycline as prophylaxis to exposed residents through municipal and city health offices. The PDRRMO said 68 barangays remain flooded with water levels reaching up to 6 feet in Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, and Malolos City. In Calumpit, Barangay Meysulao remains submerged in 6-foot high floodwaters, while 25 of the town’s 29 villages report floodwaters up to 5 feet. Portions of flooded barangays also face power outages and road closures, leaving boats as the primary mode of transportation in severely affected areas. High tide levels, which reached 3.94 feet on Friday, continue to aggravate swollen rivers following weeks of sustained monsoon rains. The Calumpit MDRRMO reported that 154,961 individuals (46,770 families) across 29 barangays are affected, with 6,539 residents currently staying in 33 evacuation centers. Calumpit was placed under a state of calamity on August 10 following rains from typhoons Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon. The entire province of Bulacan was likewise placed under a state of calamity last month after all 23 of its municipalities experienced severe flooding.