Free medicines for leptospirosis and tetanus available, DOH says amid Ulysses floods

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday advised individuals who waded through floods in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses to avail of  free medicines against leptospirosis and tetanus at the nearest health center.

Many areas in Luzon, including the National Capital Region, experienced massive flooding due to Ulysses, which left dozens dead and injured.

“Iyong mga naglakad po sa tubig-baha dahil sa Typhoon Ulysses, please go to the nearest health center para mabigyan po kayo na prophylaxis for [preventing] leptospirosis,” Vergeire said in an online forum.

“Iyong mga nagkasugat naman po habang naglalakad sa baha, kailangan rin po pumunta sa health centers para mabigyan ng anti-tetanus shots at iyong para sa leptospirosis. Importante po ito dahil delikado po ang leptospirosis, nakamamatay,” she added.

Vergeire then said that those in need of this medical assistance need not worry since it will be given for free.

“Kailangan po mabigyan ng prophylaxis within 24 to 48 hours na lumusong sila sa flood waters. Ito po lahat ay libre,” she said.

Likewise, Vergeire said the DOH’s regional units have been instructed to provide face masks to evacuees as a result of Typhoon Ulysses and Super Typhoon Rolly, which battered the country only days apart.

“Kailangan po lahat ng papasok sa evacuation center ay bibigyan ng supply ng face mask. Naibigay po natin ang direktibang ‘yan. Kapag nabasa na po ang inyong surgical o cloth mask, kailangan na po palitan at magsuot ng bago para maiwasan ang COVID-19 pandemic,” Vergeire said.

For his part, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III called on the public to ensure that the food and water are clean by boiling tap water, and washing food ingredients and cooking them well.

“Patuloy po ang ating pakikipagtulungan at pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga health emergency response teams sa mga local government units, centers for health development at iba pa pong national government agencies for updates,” Duque said.

“Together, malalampasan din natin ang lahat ng pagsubok na ito. Maraming salamat po lalung-lalo na sa lahat po ng mga yamang-taong pangkalusugan nang walang patid, walang humpay ang kanila pong pagtugon sa mga pangangailangang pangkalusugan ng atin pong mga apektadong mga kababayan,” Duque added.

The military said 39 bodies have been recovered in the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses, but Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said only 14 of these fatalities have been confirmed to be due to the typhoon.

As for the latest tally of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, the DOH has recorded 402,820 as of Thursday, November 12. Of this number, 362,417 recovered while 7,721 died.

The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 32,682. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News