The Malabon city government recorded a total of 49 leptospirosis cases in the city after the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced habagat on July 24.
“Nitong Hulyo ay naapektuhan tayo ng matinding pagbabaha dulot ng malakas na pag-ulan na sinabayan pa ng Bagyong Carina, at ng high tide na naging epekto ng pagkasira ng navigational gate. Sa ating pagmomonitor ay ating nakita na tumaas ng kaso ng leptospirosis dito sa lungsod matapos ang dumaang kalamidad sa buwan na ito. Ating pinapaalalahanan ang mga Malabueño na mag-ingat at iwasang lumusong sa baha kung apektado man ang inyong lugar (This July we were affected by severe flooding caused by heavy rains that were accompanied by Typhoon Carina, and by the high tide that was the effect of the destruction of the navigational gate. In our monitoring, we have seen an increase in cases of leptospirosis here in the city after the past disaster this month. We remind Malabueños to be careful and avoid going down in the flood if your area is affected),” Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said.
According to City Health Department (CHD) OIC Dr. Bernadette Bordador, 49 suspected cases were recorded after the heavy rains and flooding in the city from July to August where six individuals died and seven recovered.
Bordador added that 24 of the cases were still under verification by the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), while 12 patients were admitted to different hospitals in Metro Manila.
The local government logged 67 total leptospirosis cases in the city from January up to the first week of August this year.
“Dahil dito, hinihiling natin sa mga kababayang Malabueño, na sakaling nalusong sa baha nuong bagyong Carina at ngayon ay nakakaranas ng lagnat, pananakit ng katawan, lalo na kung hirap sa pag ihi at iba pang mga sintomas, mangyari lang po sanang magtungo sa pinakamalapit na Health Center o ospital upang malapatan ng tamang lunas. Para nman sa mga patuloy ba nae expose sa tubig baha, lahat po ng Health Center ay mayroong stock ng Doxycycline na ipinaminigay ng libre, bilang “prophylaxis” sa sakit na ito (Because of this, we ask the people of Malabueño, who happened to be in the flood during typhoon Carina and are now experiencing fever, body pain, especially if it is difficult to urinate and other symptoms, please go to the nearest Health Center or hospital to apply the correct treatment. For those who are constantly exposed to flood water, all Health Centers have a stock of Doxycycline that is given out for free, as a "prophylaxis" for this disease),” Bordador said.
Meanwhile, the mayor explained they are already coordinating with different agencies regarding the repairs being conducted at the destroyed Malabon-Navotas River Navigational Gate to ensure that the city will not be affected by heavy flooding in the future.
The malfunction of the Malabon-Navotas River navigational gate was reported in early June, allegedly caused by a shipping boat passing through the waterway.