Olongapo in full effort to control leptospirosis

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines  - The local government of Olongapo is exerting full efforts  to prevent and control the leptospirosis outbreak in the city.

The number of victims has risen from 125  Tuesday  to 210 Wedenesday, with another death recorded, bringing the total to six fatalities.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino has  met with all the barangay captains in the city and asked them to monitor their respective areas.

He also asked residents to go to the nearest barangay health center or the James L. Gordon Hospital if they feel any symptoms of the leptospirosis.

Leptorpirosis symptoms include high fever, chills and stomach pain.

“Our city health office and barangay health workers are now going house to house to check on our residents,” Paulino said.

“The city is (exerting all efforts to disseminate information about)  the disease while the city health department has been on the ground checking on our constituents,” Paulino said.

Dr. Gewel Manuel, Administrator of the James L. Gordon Hospital said that  they  "advise everyone to proceed to the hospital if they think they have the symptoms of leptospirosis."

“We have already coordinated with Red Cross and the Department of Health about the situation. Red Cross has already lent us beds, volunteers and ready ambulances for our use, while the DOH is
monitoring the situation,” Manuel added.

Roderick Bustamante, head of the city health department said, they are ready to give medicine to the residents.

Most of the victims according to officials line in Barangay Sta Rita, which was hit by the flood two weeks ago. - Anthony Bayarong