DOH orders NCR hospitals to set up tests for leptospiros

Published October 20, 2011 8:40am

After a 221-percent spike in the number of leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) ordered hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) to set up rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for the disease. In a news release, DOH Center for Health Development Metro Manila head Eduardo Janairo said, â€œLet us prevent the spread of this disease to avoid its complications. It is preventable and can be treated once it is properly diagnosed." Those that were ordered to conduct RDTs were hospitals in Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Pasay, and Valenzuela cities. According to the site MedlinePlus, leptospirosis is caused by exposure to several types of the Leptospira bacteria found in water contaminated by animal urine. The site said symptoms can take two to 26 days (average 10 days) to develop, and may include dry cough, fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Figures from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) showed 456 cases and 45 deaths from January 1 to October 15 this year, 221% higher than the 142 cases and seven deaths recorded in the same period last year. The hospitals that recorded a high number of leptospirosis cases included:

Ospital ng Makati (Makati City): 18 cases and one death,

San Lazaro Hospital (Manila): 226 cases and eight deaths;

Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (Manila): 39 cases and four deaths;

Quezon City General Hospital (Quezon City): 32 cases and three deaths;

East Avenue Medical Center (Quezon City) 25 cases and 13 deaths; and

Quirino Memorial Medical Center (Quezon City): 12 cases and two deaths. Majority of the cases were male and belonged to the age group from 15 to 30 years old, with 181 cases and 12 deaths. Rainy season far from over Janairo warned leptospirosis remains a threat as the rainy season is far from over. "As much as possible, let us avoid wading and spending much time submerging our feet in flood waters to prevent contracting leptospirosis and also athleteâ€™s foot or alipunga," he said. He added that as athleteâ€™s foot is highly transmissible, people in flooded areas should not wear socks while using wet boots to avoid having blisters. "No matter how many times you treat your feet with ketoconazole ointment, once you tread again in floodwaters, the fungal infection will return. Proper hygiene is still the best prevention against sickness," he said. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: departmentofhealth, metromanila, leptospirosis