Leptospirosis cases up – DoH

leptospirosis cases up – doh

Department of Health. TMT FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Health (DoH) reported on Thursday an increase in the number of leptospirosis cases in the Philippines, based on the agency's monitoring of water-borne illnesses, including influenza-like ailments and dengue.

As of June 15, 2024, the total number of leptospirosis cases was 878, the DoH said.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged the public to avoid wading or playing in floodwaters. If wading is unavoidable, wear boots and wash with soap immediately afterward, he said.

Although the reported cases are about half of the 1,769 cases in the same period last year, the department has noted an upward trend in weekly case counts with the onset of the rainy season.

From May 5–18, only six cases were recorded, but the number increased to 60 cases from May 19 to June 1, and further to 83 cases from June 2 to June 15. The DoH said these numbers might still rise due to delayed reporting.

All regions, except Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, registered an increase in leptospirosis cases in the past month. As of June 15, there have been 84 deaths attributed to the illness.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease affecting animals and humans. It is caused by the Leptospira bacteria in contaminated water or soil.

The bacteria can enter the body through breaks in the skin or through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Infected animal urine, especially from rats, can mix with floodwater, which then comes into contact with people wading through or playing in it.

Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death, DoH said.

Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain and headache. Some cases present with distinctive calf muscle pain and reddish eyes.

Severe cases may exhibit jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin, dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, low urine output, and a severe headache.

The DoH said that many of the symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases, and some individuals may have no symptoms.

It generally takes 2–30 days to develop symptoms after contact with the Leptospira bacteria.

The DoH advised individuals to consult a doctor immediately after exposure to floodwaters for a preventive antibiotic.

Herbosa also urged local governments to unclog flood drains and implement rodent control measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

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