The rising death cases attributed to leptospirosis infection nationwide has prompted Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay to order the purchase of some P3 million worth of prophylactic antibiotics for the immediate treatment of infected residents.

Binay likewise ordered the Makati City Health Department to conduct a city-wide information drive to raise public awareness on the symptoms, causes and prevention of bacterial disease, which has already claimed the lives of nine out of 32 reported cases at the city-run Ospital ng Makati since January.

Following the directives of the mayor, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Salud, City Health Officer, said her office has dispatched large tarpaulins bearing the health advisory on leptospirosis in Filipino to all 27 barangay health centers for immediate posting, while the same will also be put up on the first seven floors of City Hall where frontline offices are located.

“Starting last Friday, the advisory has also been announced regularly over the City Hall’s public address system, and it will also be aired over Radyo Makati starting this Sunday,” she added.

The city health advisory likewise includes preventive measures to avoid infection, asking the public to refrain from wading in floods or, if it cannot be avoided, to wear protective gear like boots and gloves. Other reminders include the need to always properly cover food and drinks, maintain clean surroundings, exterminate rodents in households, and help the government prevent floods through proper waste segregation and disposal in every home.