Manila: The city government of Manila on Monday declared a "leptospirosis epidemic," after the number of recorded new cases surpassed the epidemiological threshold.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) stated that Officer-in-Charge (OIC)-City Health Officer Dr. Grace Padilla reported to Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso that the spread of leptospirosis has reached "epidemic condition" levels.
Data from the Manila Health Department (MHD) indicated the infection rate surged from 1.27 percent last week to 3.48 percent, marking a rapid increase in cases within a short period.
Padilla mentioned that several city government district hospitals, including Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital, and Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, are already operating at full capacity due to the continuing influx of patients.
Following the MHD's report, Domagoso instructed city government offices to intensify the ongoing campaign against leptospirosis. This includes a public information drive and the distribution of free doxycycline capsules in 44 health centers and seven district hospitals.
Domagoso emphasized that the city government, in collaboration with the MHD and village officials, is actively reaching out to residents. He added that they would be distributing doxycycline to those affected by the recent flooding.
