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NewsTranscript
00:00Let's talk about the rising cases of leptospirosis in the country in our interview with Department of Health Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.
00:08Asek Domingo, good morning.
00:11Good morning, Ivan. Good morning to all the viewers and listeners.
00:16Asek, what are the numbers of cases of leptospirosis in the country this year and are there any fatalities?
00:24Yes, Ivan. Our number of cases of leptospirosis is still as of July 27.
00:30This is 1,444, including 162 deaths.
00:38This number is lower than the previous year, but it is not included in the number of cases of leptospirosis in our hospitals.
00:50We can see that this is increasing.
00:52This increase in the number of cases can be attributed to the flooding of Hain Habagat and Maguyong Karina last month. Is that right?
01:00That's right, Ivan. Whatever the reason, as long as it is close to the water, it can be leptospirosis even if there are no symptoms. So yes, it can be attributed.
01:11Are we seeing the worst of it, Dr. Domingo, or is it still possible for this to increase?
01:16Because you mentioned that it is possible for the incubation period to be up to a month.
01:25That's right. Our incubation period is from two days to 30 days.
01:31The average is in the middle of one to two weeks.
01:35We can do something about it now.
01:37Now we can see that the line is getting longer.
01:41If we, Kaputo, are drowning in the flood, even if there are no symptoms, even if there is no flood, as long as we are drowning in the flood,
01:49we should go to the doctor to consult and give doxycycline if necessary.
01:54That is the help so we won't see the increase. Maybe this is the highest.
02:01The DOH is mentioning a surge capacity plan for hospitals. Please explain this. What does this mean?
02:10The surge capacity plan of the DOH means that if a hospital, let's say 100 beds, only has 10 beds for leptospirosis,
02:21if we say surge capacity, it will be added. Not just 10, it will be 20 beds or more depending on the need.
02:30That is what our surge capacity plan is doing so we can accept patients if necessary.
02:36What is the situation in our hospitals right now Dr. Domingo? Is there a shortage of beds?
02:44There is no shortage, but we can see that it is almost full or sometimes it is overflowing.
02:52The latest news we have is from the National Kidney Transplant Institute and Lazaro Hospital.
02:58But we can see that it is overflowing because we are moving.
03:02As for medicines, we are not short of medicines. What are the medicines, for example, if a leptospirosis case is being treated?
03:10Our medicines, we are still using doxycycline as the mainstay.
03:16But there are other antibiotics that can be used for leptospirosis.
03:20Maybe the reason why we need a hospital is because it usually affects the kidneys and the dialysis.
03:26Of course, we need a machine. That's why we need a hospital.
03:30Moving forward Doc, this is not the first storm and flood. We will experience more floods this year.
03:37What are the plans of the DOH in case there is a surge in the case of leptospirosis?
03:44That's a good question Ivan. Our information campaign needs to be strengthened.
03:51When we strengthen the risk communication, the balance between warning or threat versus reassurance.
04:00Because we understand those who cannot avoid flooding.
04:05But we need to remind them or tell them the threat.
04:09Even if there are no symptoms, as long as they are stuck in the floodwater, they need to be consulted.
04:15Because we know that this will happen. That's the science behind it.
04:21We can also mention to our viewers that doxycycline is not expensive, right?
04:27Yes. It's not expensive. Actually, in government centers, it's free.
04:32The consultation in government centers is also free.
04:35We have a lot of volunteer doctors who are selling medicine to other providers.
04:40So there's no shortage in consultation.
04:43We just need to make time and get closer so we can know our situation.
04:48Dr. Domingo, I would like to add that the number of dengue cases is also increasing.
04:53Yes. Our dengue cases, as of the latest count, 128,834 as of July 27.
05:05This is higher than 33 percent compared to 97,211 last year.
05:11But Ivan, the number of people dying is decreasing.
05:14From 378 last year, we are now at 337, which means our Kapuso are consulting earlier, which is good.
05:22All right. Asec, thank you very much for your time.
05:26Thank you very much Ivan and good morning to everyone.
05:29We talked to DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.
05:44For more information, go to www.gmanews.tv.