Prevention & Control of Leptospirosis in the Philippines

CPH embarks on a 5-year Program
for the Prevention and Control of Lepstospirosis (LepCon) in the Philippines

The College of Public Health (CPH) of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), which is also the SEAMEO-TropMed Regional Centre for Public Health, Hospital Administration, and Environmental and Occupational Health has started a 5-year program on the Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis (LepCon) in the Philippines last April 1, 2010. This project is in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kyushu University (KU), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC), headed by UPM Chancellor Ramon Arcadio who also serves as the LepCon Project Director, Dr. Nina Gloriani, Dean of CPH and LepCon Project Manager and members coming from the representatives of DOST, NEDA, DOH, JICA and CPH working groups, oversees the implementation of the program.

Four working groups compose the LepCon program, Namely: Group A:Microbiology {Dr. Nina Gloriani(CPH-UPM), Dr. Shin-ichi Yoshida(KU), Dr. Toshiyuki Masuzawa(Chiba Institute of Science), Dr. Yasutake Yanagihara(University of Shizuoka), and Prof. Lolita Cavinta(CPH-UPM)};Group B: Burden of Disease {Dr. Maridel Borja(CPH-UPM), Shin-ichi Yoshida(KU), and Dr. Mitsuyasu Yabe(KU)}; Group C - Epidemiology - Environmental Factors {Dr. Yasutake Yanagihara and Prof. Lolita Cavinta}; and Group D - Advocacy {Prof. Jonathan Guevarra(CPH-UPM) and Dr. Jun Fujii(KU)}.

The contents of the collaborative research covered in the project are (1)determination of the situation of leptospirosis through epidemiological studies, (2)development and evaluation of rapid diagnostic kit for leptospirosis, (3)search for DNA vaccines to prevent leptospirosis in animals, and (4)enhancement of advocacy activities regarding the prevention and control of leptospirosis.