Failure of many evacuees to use free antibiotic blamed for leptospirosis outbreak

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The failure of many evacuees to take the dose of doxycycline given them – shortly after the December devastating floods here and in Iligan City – might be the reason behind the rising number of leptospirosis cases in Northern Mindanao, health officials said.

As of Thursday, 15 people were confirmed dead due to leptospirosis – eight from this city and seven from Iligan City – while more than 200 others had contracted the illness caused by the bacteria leptospira.

Its prevalence in flooded areas is commonly blamed on infected rats although other mammals, such as dogs and cats, could also become carriers.

Health officials said that during the distribution of medicines to evacuees, they were also told to take the doses of doxycycline – an anti-bacterial – that were handed to them as a form of prophylaxis (preventive) medicine.

Jun Galvan, information officer of the Department of Health in Northern Mindanao, said that the antibiotics were handed out in anticipation of more people wading in the waters in search of missing relatives or to salvage their belongings during the floods.

But with more patients crowding hospitals, Dr. David Mendoza, head of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, said they were certain that many evacuees failed to heed the advice of health officials on the need to take the antibiotic before they wade into the floods.

In this city, 96 persons tested positive for leptospirosis while Iligan City registered 118 cases.

“The fatality rate in Cagayan de Oro is at 4 percent and in Iligan, 6 percent,” Galvan said.

Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Northern Mindanao health director, said they were stepping up efforts to combat the disease, which has reached an outbreak level as early as Monday.

He said health workers were also told to conduct information campaign against leptospirosis.

Galvan said another way to avoid leptospirosis is to wear protective gears when working on muddy or watery areas.

“They need to wear rubber boots and rubber gloves,” he said.

As people become aware of the importance of doxycycline, the supply of the antibiotic is becoming scarce.

Several pharmacies outside the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) here, reported they were running out of doxycycline.

Bernadas said those showing symptoms of leptospiroris – flu-like fever, jaundice and vomiting, among others – should immediately see a doctor.

In a related development, a 6-member Swiss emergency relief team working in disaster-hit areas of Northern Mindanao since Dec. 22 ended its humanitarian work Thursday.

The team – backed by a P15-million financial assistance from the Swiss government – helped in the restoration of water supply in some areas here and in Iligan City and also installed water tanks in evacuation centers.

“The Swiss emergency team has shown tremendous skills and dedication in its efforts to relieve the suffering of the afflicted population,” Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Ivo Sieber said.