TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas noted an increase in leptospirosis cases in Northern Samar.
Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DOH-8 regional information officer, said from eight cases in Week 48, the municipalities of Catarman, Lope de Vega, Bobon, Rosario, Laoang, Lavezares, and Las Navas logged a total of 22 cases in Week 49.
Malibago said that one of the reasons for delayed treatment is hampered reporting because most of residents prioritize the repair of their houses damaged by bad weather.
"This is not surprising because they have experienced massive flooding in the past weeks due to bad weather conditions," she said.
However, she said that the Eastern Visayas Center for Health and Development has prepositioned logistics for leptospirosis prophylaxis before the flooding.
Malibago reminded the public to visit their Rural Health Units and other health facilities to get checked for the bacterial disease.
On the other hand, Malibago said that Northern Samar has not logged any mortality due to leptospirosis.
"So far, under control pa at nama-manage pa natin in our level," citing that of the nine recorded deaths, none came from Northern Samar.
From January to December, DOH-8 logged 113 cases, 43 from Leyte, eight from Eastern Samar, 22 from Northern Samar, 35 from Samar, two from Southern Leyte, and three from Biliran.
Leyte and Eastern Samar have one death each and seven from Samar province.