THE CAGAYAN de Oro city government clarified on Wednesday that no leptospirosis deaths were recorded in one of the public markets earlier this month, but it remains vigilant against outbreaks.
During a press briefing, Dr. Claire Paglinawan, officer in charge of the City Health Office (CHO), said that after reviewing the death certificates of individuals, the cause of their deaths was not related to leptospirosis allegedly found in the Cogon Public Market.
“Given this, we will still look into the matter and verify the reports we received because even if it is just one case, it is still a public health issue,” she said.
Paglinawan said 33 suspected leptospirosis-related deaths were reported last year, but these were not confined to one location or barangay.
She said the CHO will relaunch its education and information campaign to communities to help residents better understand leptospirosis.
Head of the City Economic Enterprises Business Development Administration, Marianne Raagas, said sanitation workers have been performing their nightly flushing and fumigation duties even before the alleged infections were reported to the City Council.
On Monday, the council received a report from Franklin Dagcuta, president of the Cagayan de Oro – Cogon Union of Market Vendors Association, Inc., alleging that 10 vendors have died of leptospirosis.
However, Councilor Paolo Gaane, chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Health, stated that Dagcuta’s claim still needs verification.
“We will still hold a committee hearing next week so we can discuss possible preventive actions,” he said. (PNA)
