Leptospirosis cases rising – DOH

THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday sounded the alarm over the rising number of leptospirosis cases in the country.

In a statement, the DOH said leptospirosis has been on a steady rise with 878 cases recorded from January 1 to June 15.

“While this is only around half of the number of leptospirosis cases (1,769) in the same period last year, the DOH has observed that the weekly case count has started rising with the rains,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

The health department noted there were only six cases recorded from May 5 to 18, 60 cases from May 19 to June 1, and 83 from June 2 to June 15.

“Case counts may still increase with delayed reports,” said Herbosa.

The DOH said 84 deaths have also been recorded as of June 15.

It also said that all regions, except for the Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, saw climbing cases of leptospirosis in the previous month.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by animals, such as rodents and other vermin through their waste products such as urine and feces. The leptospira bacteria can be transmitted through breaks in the skin, or through the eyes, nose, and mouth once people come into contact with contaminated flood water.

Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, headache, distinct pain in the calf muscles, and reddish eyes. Severe cases may have jaundice (yellowish body discoloration), dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, low urine output, and severe headache.

The DOH strongly urged the public to avoid wading in flood water.

“If it cannot be avoided, use boots and wash your feet and legs with clean water and soap afterwards,” it said.

It also called on all local government units to “declog flood drains and implement rodent control so that there will be less chances for transmission to humans.”