Duque warns public vs. leptospirosis, dengue amid rainy season

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday warned the public against leptospirosis and dengue, which are the common diseases during the rainy season.

“Unang-una, bantayan natin ang leptospirosis dahil 'yan na naman ang sisipa sa mga ganitong panahon,” Duque said in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

He told the public to coordinate with local health centers and make sure that patients are being administered with enough medication.

Aside from leptospirosis, dengue will be common this season, Duque said. According to him, the number of dengue cases continues to rise.

“'Yung dengue, rumaragasa pa rin,” he said. Earlier this year, dengue outbreak was raised in different regions.

According to Duque, Regions 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 still have high numbers of dengue cases.

“So kinakailangan talaga ng community participation para maiwasan ang pagkalat ng dengue,” he said.

Duque reminded the public to take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites that cause dengue, like performing the "4S": search and destroy breeding places, seek early consultation, self-protection measures, and say "yes" to fogging. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News