By Lace Anne Ebuña
(June 27, 2024) – The Department of Health (DOH) has observed rise in leptospirosis cases in the Philippines as the rainy season begins. Weekly cases have increased sharply, from 6 recorded between May 5-18 to 60 between May 19 and June 1, and further to 83 cases between June 2-15.
Case counts are expected to rise as delayed reports come in. All regions experienced increases in leptospirosis cases over the past month, except for the Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao.
From January to June 15, 2024, a total of 878 leptospirosis cases were recorded with 84 recorded deaths, a decrease from the 1,769 cases during the same period last year.
According to the DOH, leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, such as rodents and other vermin. Waste products such as urine and feces of an infected animal, especially rats, contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation.
The symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, and headache. Distinct symptoms can include calf muscle pain and reddish eyes. Severe cases may present with yellowish body discoloration, dark urine, light-colored stool, reduced urine output, and severe headaches. These symptoms can often be confused with other illnesses; some individuals may show no symptoms at all.
“Umiwas lumusong o maglaro sa baha para wag ma-lepto. Kung hindi maiwasan ang paglusong, gumamit ng bota, at hugasan agad ang katawan ng malinis na tubig at sabon pagkatapos. Kumonsulta sa doktor, mahirap na,” Health Sec. Teodoro Herbosa advised the public.
The DOH also urged local governments to declog flood drains and implement rodent control measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
(PB)
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