Even simple skin abrasion can lead to leptospirosis —doctor

A consultant at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) on Friday urged the public not to easily dismiss leptospirosis, noting the high number of cases this year.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Dr. Russell Villanueva, adult nephrology consultant at NKTI, said it is advisable for those who wade through floodwater to go consult a doctor immediately.

"As much as possible huwag tumawid or lumusong sa baha. Pero kung lumusong, magpatingin sa doktor. Meron kaming nabibigay na antibiotics... na dapat ma-take agad," he said.

Leptospirosis is contracted from the waste and urine of animals such as rats.

Villanueva said even simple skin abrasions can lead to leptospirosis if exposed to the bacteria.

"Puwedeng skin abrasion lang, hindi talaga malaking sugat. May iilan nga kami [na cases] na walang history ng pagtawid sa baha pero nagka-leptospirosis," he said.

Villanueva warned that leptospirosis "carries a high mortality rate."

From January to June 2018, a total of 1,030 cases of leptospirosis have been recorded, marking a rise of 41 percent compared to the same period last year. Of this number, 99 have died

A makeshift ward at the covered court of the NKTI was created to accommodate the increasing number of patients at their facility.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said the Department of Health has yet to determine if an outbreak will be declared given the rise in leptospirosis cases.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, hemorraghic fever with renal syndrome, lassa fever, salmonellosis, and plague can also be contracted from rats. —KBK, GMA News