Courtesy: phys org
AS the Department of Health (DOH) continues its WILD (Water-borne illness, Influenza-like Illness, Leptospirosis, and Dengue) monitoring during the rainy season, it has observed that as of Morbidity Week 24 (June 15, 2024), the total number of Leptospirosis cases stands at 878.
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.
From only 6 cases recorded last May 5-18, 60 cases were recorded last May 19 to June 1, followed by 83 cases observed from June 2 to June 15. Case counts may still increase with delayed reports. Except for the Zambonga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao regions, all regions had increases in Leptospirosis cases over the previous month. Eighty four deaths have already been recorded due to Leptospirosis as of June 15.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, such as rodents and other vermin. Waste products (e.g., urine and feces) of an infected animal, especially rats, contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation.
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease (affecting both animals and humans) caused by the Leptospira bacterium found in contaminated water or soil. Leptospira bacteria can enter the body through breaks in the skin, or through the eyes, nose and mouth. Infected animal urine like those from infected rats can mix with flood water, which then comes into contact with people wading through or playing in it. Without treatment, Leptospirosis in people can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, trouble breathing, and even death.
Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, and headache. Some cases have 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. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases; some people have no symptoms.
It generally takes 2-30 days to get sick after having contact with the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. Therefore, people must consult doctors immediately after being exposed to (wading or playing in) flood waters as there is a preventive antibiotic prescription.
“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,” said Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa. “We also urge our local governments to declog flood drains and implement rodent control so that there will not be less chances for transmission to humans,” the Health Chief added.
