ILOILO City – Responding to the surging risk of leptospirosis in the aftermath of widespread flooding, the Department of Health (DOH) delivered 50,000 capsules of doxycycline to Iloilo City.
Mayor Raisa Treñas earlier issued an urgent appeal for medicine augmentation, warning that city stocks were running low due to the massive demand triggered by floodwaters that inundated 93 barangays.
“Thank you, DOH, for the encouraging response to our call for additional supply of 50,000 capsules of doxycycline for our residents affected by the flood,” said Treñas in a statement on July 25.
Doxycycline is used as a prophylactic measure against leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial infection transmitted through floodwaters contaminated with animal urine.
According to the mayor, between July 18 and 24, the city distributed at least two capsules of the antibiotic to around 40,000 residents.
As of July 24, the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center reported that while floodwaters had receded in 63 barangays, 30 remained submerged.
The DOH also sent 30,000 capsules to the Negros Island Region and another 20,000 capsules to Negros Occidental. Other provincial health offices in Western Visayas reportedly still have sufficient supplies, the DOH said.
Health officials continue to urge the public, especially those exposed to floodwaters, to take preventive medication and seek medical attention if symptoms of leptospirosis appear./PN
