Flood-stricken Pangasinan in need of more anti-leptospirosis medicines
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Pangasinan is in need of more doses of Doxycycline to protect the local folk from leptospirosis as floodwaters sumbmerged many parts of the province after days of heavy rains.
Governor Amado I. Espino, III earlier reported that based on an aerial rapid assessment, 22 towns and cities were affected by the massive flooding.
Around 316 barangays in Pangasinan remained flooded so far, according to the report.
In Mangatarem town, 61 barangays were submerged in flood waters, while 57 barangays are still inundated in San Carlos City.
Over in Dagupan City, 31 are still flooded, 24 each in Calasiao and Bugallon, 22 in Sta. Barbara, and 20 each in Lingayen and Binmaley.
In Bayambang, 18 barangays were affected by the flooding, while in Malasiqui, 15 barangays were struck.
Eight barangays in the municipality of Urbiztondo, six in Aguilar, four in Basista and three each in Agno and Urdaneta City were likewuise affected.
Provincial, city and municipal health officials are appealing to the national government to replenish their supply of Doxycycline, an antibiotic used against leptospirosis.
‘Nagkukulang na ang supply para sa Dagupan City’, health officer Dr. Ophelia Rivera posted in her social media account.
Likewise Dr. Jesus de Vera, Calasiao municipal health officer, told the Manila Bulletin that supply of the said drug is no longer enough for residents exposed to floodwaters.
The provincial health office has so far recorded 45 cases of leptospirosis from Jan. 1 to July 2 this year with 10 deaths.
A prophylactic dose of Doxycycline is recommended for individuals exposed to floodwaters laden with the urine of rodents to prevent leptospirosis, which initially exhibits flu-like symptoms and may later progress to liver and kidney ailments and evan death.
Meantime, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released a total of R11.6 million worth of relief goods to Ilocos region residents displaced by heavy rains and flooding last week.
As of Tuesday, local government units (LGUs) of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and Asingan, Calasiao, Bani, Laoac, Mabini, Mangatarem, Rosales, Urbiztondo, Dagupan City , Urdaneta City in Pangasinan received family food packs worth R10.68 million.
R573,575.00 worth of non-food items, such as mats and hygiene kits were distributed in Calasiao, Urbiztondo and Malasiqui. (with a report from Freddie G. Lazaro)