Health officials have said that the surge in leptospirosis cases can be attributed to seasonal flooding due to continuous rains in recent weeks. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause bleeding of the lungs, meningitis and kidney failure. / AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE
(Eagle News) — The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against leptospirosis after it noted rising cases nationwide following weeks of heavy rains and floods in low-lying areas in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
According to DOH, from January 1 to June 9 this year, this bacterial infection spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rats, had already claimed 99 lives. A total of 1,030 cases were also reported for the same period nationwide. This number is already 41 percent higher than that recorded during the same period last year.
Most of the cases came from Western Visayas (221), CARAGA (162), and Davao Region (86). The ages of those with reported infections ranged from one to 88 years; 85 percent (872) of the cases involved males.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement that early recognition and treatment of symptoms are necessary to prevent further complications brought about by the water-borne disease.
“My advice to those who had to wade in the flood these past few days is to be alert for any symptom and to seek early consultation,” he said, adding that those who have had fever for two days must visit the nearest health center.
Duque stressed the importance of prevention.
“Avoid, if you can, wading in floodwaters to prevent being infected by the Leptospira bacteria, or use boots when it cannot be avoided,” he said.
Modes of transmission of the bacteria can be through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, and through cuts and abrasions in the skin when wading in contaminated floodwaters.
Symptoms of the disease include high fever, muscle pain, eye redness, chills, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and yellowish skin discoloration.
If left untreated, leptospirosis may cause kidney failure, brain damage, massive internal bleeding, or death. (Phoebe Salvador, Eagle News Service)