Marikina anti-leptospirosis drive offers cash bounty for rats

To minimize the risk of getting infected with leptospirosis amid the rainy season, the Marikina City government is offering residents a cash bounty for every rat they trap.

According to Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the rats for cash program encourages residents to catch rats and surrender them to the city government in exchange for money.

“Noong una marami (nagkaka-leptospirosis) pero nitong mga nakaraang taon nakikita natin unti-unting pagbawas o pag-unti ang bilang ng mga daga, marahil nabawasan na ang mga daga o kaya ang mga tao ay nag-iingat na at alam na ano dapat gawin,” Mayor Marcy Teodoro said.

Data from the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau showed that the country recorded 557 cases of leptospirosis from January to August this year.

Of the number, 53 have died from the disease.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOH reminded the public to still watch out for symptoms of leptospirosis.

“Magsuspetsa kayo kung ang lagnat tumaas tapos noong bumaba eh mayroong paninilaw ng balat at mata tapos pag pinisil mo sa binti ay napapaliyaw sa sakit tapos masakit ‘yong ulo tapos ‘yong ihi tingnan niyo rin. ‘Yong iba naman naapektuhan sa utak, tumitigas ‘yong leeg, nagkakaroon ng meningitis. pero pangkaraniwan ‘yong kidney failure,” Dr. Eric Tayag said.

Tayag also called on the public to keep their environment clean and refrain from stepping into floods and muddy waters.

Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected rodents and other infected animals, which can get into floodwaters. — DVM, GMA News