To prevent the spread of leptospirosis, Marikina City has distributed doxycycline capsules for residents affected by the massive flooding during typhoon “Ulysses” last week.
In a television interview, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the local government is closely monitoring the health situation of residents following the recent typhoon.
“We have distributed doxycycline in health centers, in barangays, and in community organizations,” Teodoro said in Filipino on Friday.
“Kung wala tayong sintomas basta nalubog tayo sa tubig baha ay, for prevention, kailangan nating uminom nito (If you have no symptoms but as long as you got submerged in flood waters then, for prevention, you need to take it),” he added.
Aside from doxycycline, the mayor said he had ordered the additional purchase of medicines for cholera, tetanus, and other illnesses.
Meantime, the massive clearing operation of the local government is ongoing to completely remove thick mud and mounds of destroyed properties left by the typhoon.
Teodoro said relief operations of the local government also continue as thousands of displaced residents are still staying in evacuation sites in the city.
Marikina City is currently under state of calamity due to the extent of the typhoon’s damage.