H5N1

Haiyan/Yolanda: 4 die from leptospirosis, tetanus in Eastern Visayas

Via GMA News Online: 4 die from leptospirosis, tetanus in Eastern Visayas.

Health authorities here are keeping a close watch over cases of leptospirosis and tetanus, after noting at least four deaths from these two conditions following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).   

Dr. Paula Sydiongco, Department of Health assistant regional director for Eastern Visayas, told an inter-agency meeting here they have stocked enough medicines to address these diseases.   

"May two deaths na tayo of leptospirosis. Kung may people exposed sa floodwaters, please come to our clinic. We have provided propylaxis for leptospirosis, ang namatay na-expose talaga (We already recorded two deaths due to leptospirosis. If there are people exposed to floodwaters, please come to our clinic. We have provided prophylaxis for leptospirosis especially since those who died had been exposed to floodwaters)," she said.   

She also warned of the danger of diarrhea among residents in affected areas.   

While floods from Yolanda's rains have subsided, rainshowers had fallen over Tacloban City in past days.   

Sydiongco also said at least two more had died from tetanus, an infection likely caused by exposure to potentially deadly bacteria.   

She did not give further information about the four fatalities but indicated they were most likely from this city.   

One of the tetanus cases had been airlifted to a hospital in Metro Manila, she added.   

Also, Sydiongco showed their records indicate acute respiratory illnesses topped the causes of disease among children less than five years old. Others on the list included fever, wounds and diarrhea.

Haiyan/Yolanda: Cebu City braces for diseases

Via The Freeman: Amid influx of evacuees: Cebu City braces for diseases. Excerpt, including several paragraphs in Tagalog:

The Cebu City health board is on heightened alert amid the influx of evacuees from typhoon-affected areas who might bring diseases to the city. 

“Ang concern sa board kaning mga tawhana (evacuees) when they come. We have to remember nga inside their body they might be bringing already or harboring possible diseases. Bisan unsaon nato pagpakaon, paghatag og shelter kun ang lawas masakiton so atimanon nato. Because of this, we have to prepare,” said Dr. Lucelle Mercado, chairwoman of Local Health Board. 

Mercado said they are expecting a gradual increase in the number of evacuees from typhoon-devastated areas seeking refuge in Cebu. 

Cebu is the nearest accessible island from Tacloban and Ormoc cities, Leyte and Eastern Samar. 

“Ang board nag-anticipate sa kadaghan sa influx of evacuees mainly from Tacloban nga nag-expect of 2,500 refugees this week,” Mercado said. 

She said she already talked with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama regarding the board’s meeting last Thursday about the matter before she left for Ormoc City yesterday to hand the city’s cash aid. 

Mercado said Rama has asked Taiwanese doctors to check the evacuees at the gymnasiums of Cogon Ramos, Inayawan, Guadalupe, Sports Institute San Nicolas proper and Tinago. 

“Si mayor ni-suggest nga ang 40 Taiwanese doctors nga volunteers imbes na ipadala sa north, sa city na sila usa moatiman sa mga evacuation center for one week,” Mercado said. 

Since Friday, the Taiwanese doctors have been conducting checkup on typhoon victims for diseases, especially dysentery, diarrhea, tetanus. They had also conducted vaccination. 

Mercado said in order not to spread infectious diseases, they are monitoring and treating diseases at the evacuation level. 

“At this point, at the level of our evacuation i-treat na daan, adto nato i-handle. Para di modako ang problema,” Mercado said. 

She explained that the city needs foreign help, especially medical experts, considering that some health centers in Cebu were not operating following the powerful quake last month.