Wading through floods? DOH warns vs leptospirosis, tetanus

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday urged the public to immediately seek medical treatment should they wade through floods caused by Typhoon Ulysses to avoid contracting leptospirosis and tetanus.

“Gusto ko hong ibigay na impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan kung sakaling kayo ay lumubog o naglakad dito sa mga tubig baha nitong time nitong Typhoon Ulysses, please go to your health centers,” DOH spokesperson and undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters in an online press briefing.

(I want to give this information to the public that if they have waded through flood water during Typhoon Ulysses, please go to your health centers.)

Vergeire added that health centers can give a dose of prophylaxis for protection against leptospirosis, which is a water-borne disease.

It was on Thursday when parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, were battered by the typhoon, with parts of the country’s capital region being submerged in a massive flood.

“Kung sakali naman po kayo ay nagkaroon ng mga sugat na natamo dahil naglakad po kayo sa baha, maari rin po pumunta na rin sa health center para matignan ng doctor at makita kung kailangan bigyan ng anti-tetanus shots,” Vergeire likewise reminded.

(If ever you have been wounded as you waded through the floods, you may also go to the health center to have it consulted with a doctor and see if you will be given anti-tetanus shots.)

The DOH official then reminded the public that should they have waded through the flood, they need to take a dose of prophylaxis within 24 to 48 hours to avoid contracting leptospirosis.

“For anti-tetanus shots, kailangan po within 24 hours of being wounded because of this walking [through[ the flood,” Vergeire added.

(For anti-tetanus shots, this should be given 24 hours of being wounded because of walking through the flood.)

EDV