Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa J. Herbosa joins a press briefing to discuss the priority thrusts of the national health department. (Photo Courtesy: Presidential Communications Office)
QUEZON CITY (PIA) – Two months after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially declared the start of the 2024 rainy season, the Department of Health (DOH) issued an advisory urging the public to avoid wading floodwaters amid a spike in confirmed cases of leptospirosis.
“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 Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
(Avoid wading flood waters to avoid leptospirosis. Or better yet, use rain boots and thoroughly wash the flood-soaked part of your body with clean water and soap. Don’t take chances, consult a doctor.)
As of June 2024, the DOH had recorded 878 leptospirosis cases in the country, including 84 deaths.
While the figure is slightly lower compared to the 1,769 recorded cases covering the same period of the previous year, the national health department noted an uptick in the weekly caseload given frequent rainfall.
As per DOH data, leptospirosis cases from May 5 to 18 only stood at six. The figure spiked to 60, representing reported cases from May 19 to June 1, and increased to 83 cases from June 2 to June 15.
Amid an uptick, Herbosa called on the local government units to conduct targeted declogging operations of drainage systems and implement other measures to lessen the exposure of communities to the threat of leptospirosis.
“We also urge our local governments to unclog flood drains and implement rodent control so that there will be fewer chances for transmission to humans,” he added.
Aside from leptospirosis, the DOH assured its continuous surveillance of other water-borne illnesses, which include influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue.
Related story: NCR Dengue cases drop by 16 percent
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the Leptospira bacterium, which can be transmitted through the urine, feces, and other waste products of infected animals, particularly rodents. Once people come into contact with contaminated water or soil, the bacteria can enter the body through open wounds and other breaks in the skin or through the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Among the symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, nausea, muscle pain, and headaches. Without treatment, this disease can progress to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and even death.
According to the DOH, it generally takes two to 30 days for the symptoms to manifest after being exposed to leptospirosis-causing bacteria, for which reason the DOH chief cited the urgent need to seek immediate medical attention. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
