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Floods challenge residents and commuters, put them at risk of leptospirosis

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — It’s only been two months since Parañaque resident Ginalyn Jodonio lost her entire home in a fire. Barely recovering from the tragedy, she now has to contend with nature after her temporary shelter made of scraps of wood, was submerged in almost knee-deep floods.As she wiped the brown puddles off the soaked wood with an already damp towel, Jodonio could not hold back her tears.“Hindi ako sanay ng ganitong buhay. First time na nangyari sa akin ito. Yung init ng panahon kakayanin pa eh. Pero yung ganito, sobrang hirap,” she said.(I’m not used to this. It’s the first time this has happened to me. I can bear the heat, but this, it’s too difficult.)Jodonio is among the thousands of Filipinos in Metro Manila affected by the torrential monsoon rain made even stronger by Typhoon Carina.While the city may have experienced flooding from continuous and heavy rainfall, its impacts on residents are not as severe compared to other cities, Dr. Ted Gonzalez, Paranaque City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer, said.As of Wednesday afternoon, five evacuation centers have been activated with many more on standby should the need for more arises.“Open siya sa mga communities na gustong mag-evacuate siya pag medyo threatened sila. Huwag na nating antayin na lumakas pa ang ulan ulit bago kayo mag evacuate. Huwag nating isugal ang ating buhay. Yung gamit napapalitan pero ang buhay isang beses lang yan,” he said.(The evacuation centers are open to communities who want to evacuate especially if they feel threatened by the weather. Let’s not wait for the rains to become threatening before deciding to evacuate. We can replace our belongings, but we only have one life, let’s take care of it.)In Makati City, several roads were also impassable by small vehicles following floods, with some almost reaching the center island causing heavy traffic. Commuters who had to make their way to work were left with no choice but to wade through murky water or ride a pedicab.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/7/24/paws-on-alert-due-to-inclement-weather-calls-for-immediate-animal-rescue-1442">RELATED: PAWS on alert due to inclement weather, calls for immediate animal rescue</a></div><div>GUARD AGAINST LEPTOSPIROSIS</div>The Department of Health reminds the public of the dangers posed by wading through flood water. In a statement it said that antibiotics are available for prevention, but they require prescriptions.“Consult your nearest doctor or health center within 24 hours after wading through floodwaters or touching soil/mud/dirt after a flood,” it said.Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted mainly by rodents and other vermin through their waste products such as urine and feces that often mixed and carried by flood.Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain and headache.“Some cases have distinct pain in the calf muscles, and reddish eyes. Severe cases may have jaundice (yellowish body discoloration), dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, low urine output, and severe headache. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases; some people have no symptoms.” the DOH said.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/27/doh-sounds-alarm-over-increasing-leptospirosis-cases-1402">READ: DOH sounds alarm over increasing leptospirosis cases</a></div>The disease has an incubation period ranging from two to 30 days following contact with the bacteria.Health experts advise the public to take doxycycline as prophylaxis as long as one has been exposed to floodwater despite the absence of wounds.Former health undersecretary Eric Tayag told ABS-CBN News the bacteria can enter the body via other openings.The DOH can be reached via hotline 1555 for concerns.

Barely recovering from a fire in May, Ginalyn Jodonio now has to contend with nature after her temporary shelter made of scraps of wood, was submerged in almost knee-deep floods.

Barely recovering from a fire in May, Ginalyn Jodonio now has to contend with nature after her temporary shelter made of scraps of wood, was submerged in almost knee-deep floods.