5 dead in QC due to leptospirosis, dengue

MANILA, Philippines — Five people have died in Quezon City due to dengue and leptospirosis, which are rife during the wet season.

The Quezon City Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance Unit (QCESU) reported one death among 1,160 dengue cases recorded from January 1 to June 24, 2023.

Also within the said period, QCESU said four out of 32 patients with leptospirosis succumbed to the said disease caused by rats.

In line with this, city mayor Joy Belmonte urged local residents to practice precautionary measures to avoid contracting dengue and leptospirosis.

“In order to make our community safe from dengue and leptospirosis, let us start with protecting our families by cleaning our surroundings and making sure that preventive measures are in place,” Belmonte said in a statement on Monday.

To avoid leptospirosis, Belmonte urged local residents to avoid wading or swimming in potentially contaminated water, wear protective clothing, stay away from dead or sick animals, and cover skin lesions with a waterproof dressing.

The local chief executive also enjoined her constituents to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, use mosquito repellant, support fogging or spraying in identified hotspots, and seek early consultation to avoid dengue and its complications.

—Kirsten Segui, Inquirer.net trainee

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