THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) should distribute medicines to address rising cases of leptospirosis, a congressman said on Monday.
It should also inform Filipinos about proper precautions to curb the spread of the disease, Iloilo Rep. Janette L. Garin said.
Leptospirosis is spread from animals to humans, caused by infection with the bacteria Leptospira. The most common sources of infection are contact with infected animal urine, contaminated soil or water including floods.
“The problem is there is funding for free doxycycline, but the availability on the ground is difficult,” she said in a statement in Filipino, referring to the antibiotic used to treat the infection.
“What should be done is to… send the medication immediately to the areas where it is needed; it shouldn’t be made more difficult,” she added.
The DoH recorded 67 cases of leptospirosis from July 14 to July 27, bringing the total to 1,444 this year. About 160 Filipinos have died from the disease. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
