DOH monitors 15 suspected Lepto cases in city
City Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday said the Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring 15 suspected cases of Leptospirosis in the city.
Treñas gave no other details except by saying that it was DOH regional director Lydia Depra-Ramos who told him the bad news.
The mayor is waiting for the DOH report when interviewed by reporters yesterday.
The chief executive urged residents, especially those living in the evacuation centers and heavily affected areas, to immediately see a doctor if they feel they are sick.
They can seek medical help at the health centers if they could not afford the services of private physicians, he said.
Dr. Glen L. Alonsabe, Regional Epidemiologist of DoH VI Center for Health Disease, was not reached for comment over the information about the 15 suspected Leptospirosis cases in the city. It was learned Alonsabe was in Aklan to check on the health problems of the residents as an aftermath of typhoon Frank.
On the other hand, City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Urminico Baronda said he could not confirm the 15 suspected cases of Leptospirosis in the city. He said they have only monitored two suspected cases of Leptospirosis in the district of Jaro.
The district of Jaro is the hardest hit barangay when Typhoon Frank hit Iloilo. The district has been placed in the watchlist for possible water-borne diseases. Leptospirosis is a water-borne disease usually acquired in flooded areas. It is caused by the contamination of the flood water with animal urine. Infection begins when the contaminated water comes in contact with broken skin.
Baronda said they are still verifying the reports on Leptospirosis in Barangay Tagbac and Cubay in Jaro. The health workers are on the process of checking the report. The two patients suspected of having Leptospiros are taking medical help at the West Visayas State University Medical Center.
So far, there are two recorded deaths in the city attributed to Leptospirosis. The victims were Jose Militar, former village chief of Barangay Banuyao, La Paz district and Severo Villamucho, a resident of Barangay San Roque, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras but works and temporarily resided in Mandurriao district, said Baronda.