The local health office in Caloocan City has been ordered to step up the campaign against water-borne diseases, particularly leptospirosis which is common during rainy season, Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri said yesterday.
This as the city chief executive warned residents against the deadly disease despite a decrease in the number of cases in Caloocan so far this year, as compared to previous year.
“The City Health Department (CHD) and the Public Information Office (PIO) have been directed to work hand in hand to make sure that the residents are fully informed about the diseases carried by dirty waters or floodwaters so that they will know how to avoid them,” according to Echiverri.
Records from city health office show the number of cases involving leptospirosis has decreased with only 20 cases listed from January to July this year as compared to last year’s 35 cases.
Local health officials also said the number of cases has gone down by 42 percent this year.
No deaths were recorded arising from the same infection so far this year, although one person died due to leptospirosis in 2011, said Echiverri quoting a CHD report.
Echiverri ordered city health officers to step up the information campaign against the infection prevalent in the country during rainy season.
The city government has also intensified its clean-up campaign and the distribution of antibiotic medicines specifically doxycycline capsules among residents, he said.
At least 610 boxes of doxycyclines containing 61,000 capsules were distributed by health officials in the city.
In a related development, Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president and Councilor Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri, the mayor’s son, ordered barangays nationwide to monitor the flooded areas whose residents are at risk of contacting leptospirosis.  
The elder Echiverri said  the infection is transmitted to humans by allowing water contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with “open wounds” in the skin.
Symptoms include fever, chills and intense headache, said Echiverri as he advised the residents not to hesitate to go to the nearest barangay health centers so that immediate medical attention can be given.