Drug maker helps solve leptospirosis cases Charles E. Buban Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 06, 2009
WITH REPORTED cases of leptospirosis surging close to 2,000—more than double last year’s 769 cases—drug maker Pfizer has rushed the free distribution of antibiotic drug doxycycline so health authorities could contain the outbreak.
The bacterial disease that has already killed more than 130 people is particularly rampant in areas still inundated with floodwaters brought about by the recent typhoons.
“Because of the emergency nature of the situation, drug maker Pfizer has coordinated with the Philippine College of Physicians, the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the affected local government units to distribute the needed drug that will hopefully end this problem soon,” reported Dr. Anthony Leachon, the company’s medical director.
Since the outbreak of leptospirosis cases, Leachon reported that Pfizer has donated close to P4 milion worth of medicines to grief stricken areas.
Majority of the drug donated went to Marikina, Taguig, Pasig, Cainta and Pampanga, which were severely affected by typhoons “Ondoy,” “Pepeng” and “Ramil.”
Ongoing donation
“This is an ongoing thing for the company and we will not stop until this epidemic is eradicated,” said Leachon who added that last month, the company has donated one million pesos worth of doxycycline to the Department of Health and P200,000 worth of medicines to the Philippine National Red Cross.
Doxycycline provides the greatest benefit when administered early in the infection stage.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to the urine of rats or other infected animals, in this case through floodwaters.
“The usual entry point for the bacteria include damaged, abraided skin, particularly in the feet area and hands, eyes, nasal and oral mucous membranes,” Leachon added.
Leachon explained that because leptospirosis’ incubation period takes 14 days, the early signs that include high grade fever, severe muscle pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin (jaundice), dark yellow urine, and decrease in urine output are often wrongly attributed to something else.
If not addressed early, leptospirosis could be fatal because the infection could lead to kidney, lung and heart failure, according to him.
Leachon said leptospirosis bacteria is very responsive to antibiotics such as doxycycline. The drug is also a very effective preventive treatment against leptospirosis that is why it is given to people who have been exposed to the same source as an infected person.
“But to be most effective, antibiotic treatment should be started early in the disease,” he reminded people showing the symptoms. He added that since the bacteria commonly infect rats, better standards of personal hygiene, wearing of footwear and elimination of the animals’ reservoir should be instituted to help reduce the incidence of the disease in the affected communities.
