'Change in behavior' crucial to fight vs dengue, leptospirosis: DOH exec

_{A mother comforts her child as he shares the bed with another patient at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on August 27, 2019. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News}

MANILA — With the rising number of dengue and leptospirosis cases amid the rainy season, the Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) is asking the public to prioritize their daily behavior to beat the diseases.

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DOH-MMCHD director Rio Magpantay admitted there is "pressure" on local government units (LGUs) to eliminate breeding sites to combat dengue - but households and establishments should also be responsible.

"Kung lahat ng pamilya ay sabay-sabay na nagche-check ng kani-kanilang mga palibot, kapaligiran, even inside the houses... sigurado ako, iyong dengue na iyan maiiwasan dahil walang lamok. Kasi mosquitoes will always be there if there are sites na pwede silang mag-breed," he said.

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(If all families simultaneously check their surroundings, environment, and even inside their houses... I am sure that dengue can be prevented because there won't be any mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will always be there if there are sites where they can breed.)

"Whole of society, kumbaga... Pressure should be sa LGUs talaga kasi nandoon naman lahat ng establishments. Pero pressure din sana, sana maintindihan ng bawat pamilya na meron silang responsibilidad," he added.

(Whole of society, so to speak... Pressure should really be on the LGUs because all establishments are there. But there should also be pressure on families, and hopefully, each family understands that they have a responsibility.)

• Dengue cases up as DOH asks public to search, destroy mosquito breeding grounds

LEPTOSPIROSIS

As for leptospirosis, Magpantay said proper behavior outdoors should be instilled to everyone.

• DOH sounds alarm over increasing leptospirosis cases

"Ang taas-taas ng awareness [sa sakit], and yet the behavior and practice mababa... Kung alam mong lalabas ka... magsuot ka ng protective equipment, mga botas... Iyong mga bata, magulang ka, huwag mong hayaang maligo sa [ulan]... Kailangan pagdating na pagdating mo sa bahay... alam mo iyong paghuhugas nang tama, pagsasabon, lalong-lalo na kung may sugat ka... Kung na-expose ka talaga [sa baha], meron namang pwedeng puntahan na health center for prophylaxis," he explained.

(The awareness [about the disease] is very high, and yet the behavior and practice are low... If you know you're going out... wear protective equipment, like boots... For children, as a parent, don't let them bathe in the [rain]... When you get home... you need to know how to wash properly, using soap, especially if you have wounds... If you were exposed to floods, there are health centers you can go to for prophylaxis.)

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Data from DOH-MMCHD show 6,531 dengue cases - with seven deaths - from January 1 to June 22, 2024, which is a 16.39 percent dip from the 7,811 cases during the same period last year.

So far, most cases this year belong to the 5 to 9 years age group, at 1,830 cases.

Meanwhile, leptospirosis cases from January 1 to June 22, 2024 have reached 252, with 30 deaths--a 29.9 percent hike from the 194 cases listed during the same period last year.

This year, majority of the cases belong to the 35 to 39 age group, with 30 cases.

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