MANILA, Philippines — Local Government Units (LGUs) should intensify their information drive against leptospirosis and mpox (formerly monkeypox) that has been hounding Philippine healthcare at this time, President Marcos Jr. said.
“I urge you all to lead aggressive information dissemination campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent diseases, such as a campaign to remind our people, especially children, against swimming in flood waters and to practice [proper] personal hygiene to mitigate the spread of leptospirosis, mpox, and any other illnesses,” Marcos said in his speech during the Local Governance Summit 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The Philippines has reported its first mpox case of the year. The patient is a 33-year-old man with no recent travel history who exhibited symptoms earlier this month and sought medical advice from a dermatology clinic and a spa. The total number of mpox cases in the Philippines has now exceeded 10.
During his speech, he also urged local officials to fix garbage disposal and waste management problems, which led to increased cases of leptospirosis and dengue after Super Typhoon Carina and the heavy rains.
“Our solid waste management problem is a major factor that caused flooding as well in the Metro during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the Southwest Monsoon in the last month,” Marcos said.
The latest tally from the Department of Health showed that a total of 396 fatalities nationwide have been reported due to dengue, with cases continuing to rise during the rainy season. Additionally, between July 21 and August 3, 255 new cases of leptospirosis were recorded, representing a 17 percent increase compared to the 217 cases reported from July 7 to July 20.
“Local chief executives must work harder to utilize environmentally sound methods and waste minimization measures to protect public health and of course, our environment,” he said.
