Panayam kay Asec. Albert Domingo, Spokesperson, DOH | Unang Balita - video Dailymotion

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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.

Panayam kay Asec. Albert Domingo, Spokesperson, DOH | Unang Balita

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