DOH sees more dengue, leptospirosis cases

The surge in cases of leptospirosis and dengue nationwide is expected to continue until next month, especially in areas prone to flooding, according to Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag.

Among the preventive measures being taken at health centers, Tayag noted, is the provision of antibiotics to those who were exposed to contaminated floodwaters.

Dengue infections have been increasing since April, with a total of 85,692 cases reported nationwide as of July 22 this year.

Meanwhile, cases of leptospirosis, an infectious waterborne disease, soared by 51 percent in the first seven months of the year as the country experienced heavy rain and flooding.

Based on DOH figures, there were a total of 2,168 confirmed leptospirosis cases from Jan. 1 to July 22 this year.

In Quezon City, leptospirosis cases have reached the “alert threshold,” with 34 new cases recorded from Aug. 8 to 14. This was slightly higher than the 30 confirmed infections from Aug. 1 to 7. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA