Please refer to the attached file.
FAST FACTS
- Throughout August, an usually strong southwest monsoon has caused severe flooding in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and parts of the Visayas, leading to an outbreak of leptospirosis. As of September 7, the Department of Health reported 6,253 cases and 378 deaths, prompting Manila City to declare an epidemic. The situation underscores the urgent need to strengthen surveillance, detection, treatment capacity, risk communication and preventive measures, especially in flood-affected communities.
OUR FOOTPRINT
- International Medical Corps has been active in the Philippines since 2013, providing humanitarian assistance and emergency response to communities affected by major disasters across the country, including typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
OUR RESPONSE
- International Medical Corps had already integrated leptospirosis-preparedness programming into our ongoing activities by prepositioning doxycycline and other essential medicines at the rural health units (RHUs) in Calumpit and Hagonoy, Bulacan province, ahead of the monsoon season. Thanks in part to the fact that the RHUs have utilized the donated doxycycline as part of their leptospirosis prevention efforts, leptospirosis cases have so far not been reported in Calumpit and Hagonoy, despite prolonged flooding. This highlights the importance of early preparedness and timely prepositioning of essential medicines.
As the rainy season is expected to continue through November, International Medical Corps will continue to monitor the emergence of leptospirosis cases. We will continue to support the RHUs in Calumpit and Hagonoy in their leptospirosis prevention efforts, particularly as floodwaters may recede slowly in these areas. International Medical Corps will also explore opportunities to scale up our response in other areas affected by flooding and at risk of a leptospirosis outbreak. This may include strengthening event- and case-based surveillance and referral mechanisms, including RHU and BHS staff training, implementing risk communication and community engagement activities to strengthen community awareness and promote preventive practices, and supporting timely access to appropriate preventive measures by providing essential medications.