Olongapo authorities offer reward for catching rats to counter leptospirosis threat

Published August 6, 2014 8:21am

Authorities in Olongapo City are offering rewards for a new public enemy number one, in the wake of floods that swamped several parts of the city in recent weeks.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino said people will get P10 for every rat they catch, and P5 for the smaller "bubwit," GMA News' Julius Segovia reported on "Saksi."

But the rats have to be turned over within 24 hours after capture and placed in a "sealed" bag, the television report said.

In a separate interview on dzBB radio early Wednesday, Paulino said there has been no case of leptospirosis so far in past weeks.

He also said the city government is arranging more preventive measures against the disease.

Nagpapamudmod na rin daw ng gamot ang Olongapo City gov't bilang preventive measure laban sa leptospirosis, ayon kay Mayor Rolen Paulino.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 5, 2014

The "Saksi" report said a leptospirosis outbreak had been declared last year in the city following floods there.

Leptospirosis is a disease spread by droppings and urine of rats.

Its symptoms include fever, pains in knees and joints, red or yellowish eyes, and yellowish skin.

Meanwhile, leptospirosis is also becoming a problem in Pangasinan after a farmer died from the disease. Floods had affected parts of the province in recent days.

In Bataan, authorities in Hermosa town have prepared medicine against leptospirosis due to floods that reached chest level. — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: leptospirosis