By CESAR JOLITO III

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) is maintaining a heightened alert for possible disease outbreaks in the aftermath of heavy rains and widespread flooding across the province last week.

PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan confirmed that the province remains under Code White Alert — a heightened monitoring status requiring readiness to respond to health emergencies.

Although no confirmed cases of flood-related illnesses have been reported so far, Pinongan warned that the risk remains high, especially for leptospirosis, a serious bacterial infection transmitted through floodwaters contaminated with rat urine.

“Children swimming or playing in floodwaters are particularly vulnerable,” she said, urging parents to keep them away from potentially contaminated areas.

In response, the PHO has proactively distributed doxycycline capsules, which serve as preventive medication against leptospirosis and other waterborne diseases.

Other essential medicines have also been dispatched to affected communities.

Pinongan also reminded the public to boil drinking water and avoid consuming untreated water, stressing the increased risk of gastrointestinal diseases following flooding.

The PHO continues to monitor local health units and coordinate with barangays to prevent any potential outbreaks./CJ, WDJ