Sen. Bong Go warned the public of the rising leptospirosis cases in the country, renewing his call for the passage of legislative measures that would better prepare the country against health threats and improve the healthcare system as the Senate Health Committee chairman.

The Department of Health recently released a Leptospirosis Surveillance Report which showed that from the start of January until August 20 this year, the country recorded 1,462 cases compared to 1,278 cases in the same period last year, translating to a 15% increase.

Most of the leptospirosis cases are from the National Capital Region with 279 affected individuals or 19%, followed by Cagayan Valley with 174 or 12%, and Western Visayas with 174 or 12%. 

Meanwhile, a total of 205 fatalities were reported throughout the country this year — 14 in January; 11 in February; 23 in March; 32 in April; 29 in May; 29 in June; 53 in July; and 14 in August.

"Mga kababayan ko, alam po natin na madali po talagang pasukin ng mga bagyo ang ating bansa nang dahil sa geographical location nito. Dito po madalas nagsisimula ang pagkalat ng leptospirosis, kaya please po mag-ingat po tayo palagi," reminded Go. 

"Palagi natin ugaliin na maging malinis ang ating kapaligiran. Ugaliin natin ang tamang pagtapon ng mga basura. Kung hindi po maiiwasan na lumusong sa baha gumamit po ng bota at siguraduhin na maglinis pagkatapos," he cited.