Leptospirosis cases down in Caloocan

Cases of leptospirosis in Caloocan City have gone down although the city government continued to warn residents about the threat posed by the disease.

Data from the Caloocan City Health Department showed that 20 cases were recorded from January to July this year, down by 42% from the 35 cases during the same period last year.

No deaths have been reported so far compared to the one recorded last year.

Despite this, the city government has intensified its awareness campaign to stop further infections.

The City Health Department has also distributed to residents at least 610 boxes or some 61,000 capsules of doxycycline, an antibiotic which fights leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis can be contracted when floodwaters, mixed with the urine of animals such as rats, seep into the body through open wounds or other openings. Nathaniel R. Melican