The Department of Health (DOH) today warned the public against leptospirosis as it noted a spike in the number of cases from 9 private and government hospitals in Metro Manila after tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng struck the country one after the other recently. “With the recent spate of flooding in the different areas of the country, we expect cases of leptospirosis to rise after two weeks and it is still best to be aware of the symptoms and seek early treatment of the disease,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III explained.
As of October 12, the DOH recorded 383 cases from the East Avenue Medical Center (69 cases), Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (1), Manila Doctor’s Hospital (10), The Medical City (70), National Kidney and Transplant Institute (28), Quirino Memorial Medical Center (18), Philippine General Hospital (17), Rizal Medical Center (13), and the San Lazaro Hospital (157).
“This is a cause for concern since this surge in cases being reported by only 9 Metro Manila hospitals already represents about half of last year’s annual figures when we reported 769 total cases”, Duque said.
Leptospirosis is caused by swallowing the bacteria directly from water, absorbing it through cuts in the skin, or through food. Although the disease is commonly associated with rat urine, infection can also come from animals like cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and wild animals. The bacteria live in freshwater and are killed immediately by heat, disinfectant, acids and alkalis.
The disease’s incubation period is seven to 12 days after exposure. Symptoms may appear suddenly as early as four days after exposure, or as late as 21 days. Common signs and symptoms are flu-like and include fever, a red skin rash and general weakness. Headaches, reaction to light, muscle and joint pains, vomiting, and fatigue are also common. Incubation period may last up to a month. Death may also occur.
“We strongly advise anyone who had a history of wading in the recent floods and who has the symptoms of the disease to consult at once at the nearest doctor or health facility for treatment”, the health chief said.
Duque also said that anyone working in flood water should protect any broken skin by using boots and preventing flood water from entering their mouth. All drinking water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least five minutes and preferably up to 20 minutes, according to the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
“Protect food and drinking water from contamination, fresh vegetables and fruit should be washed in clean water first before cooking or peeling”, he concluded.
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