19 new cases of leptospirosis at NKTI

Nineteen new cases of leptospirosis have been reported at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), an official from the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Monday.

"Last week po natin ng July eh talagang nakatanggap po tayo ng 97 cases at ito lang may added tayo sa NKTI na 19 cases," DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in an interview on Balitanghali.

"Kung maalala niyo po bumaha din sa Pangasinan, sa Dagupan, as of now 'yun pong ating ospital doon, nakatanggap din po sila ng pitong pasyente na may leptospirosis," Domingo said.

The DOH official said that leptospirosis cases have increased compared to previous years, but he also assured the public that the DOH, with the help of other local government agencies, is ready to address the needs of leptospirosis patients.

"Medyo mataas po siya sa ngayon kumpara sa mga previous na years pero ready naman po 'yung mga hospitals natin, in fact 'yung NKTI, 'yung gym nila ginawa naman na pong emergency leptospirosis ward. Ito po 'yung para sa mga grabe talaga lalo na 'yung may kidney failure na need idialysis," Domingo said.

"So handa naman po at 'yung Department of Health naman saka 'yung local government unit, nag-distribute ng gamot na prophylaxis para sa mga naka-expose sa flood waters," he added.

Domingo also advised the public, especially those who have walked through floodwaters, to immediately go to a hospital or clinic and take proper medication.

"Kapag po na-expose ka, magpatingin ka at uminom na ng gamot, 'wag na po hintayin na magkaroon ng symptoms dahil ibig sabihin noon meron na po tayong sakit," he said.

Leptospirosis is a possibly fatal bacterial disease that affects humans and animals alike. It is caused by the spiral-shaped Leptospira bacteria, which spread through the urine of infected animals.

According to the World Health Organization, floods "can potentially increase the transmission" of a water-borne disease like leptospirosis.

In June, DOH said it would study data from various hospitals to determine if there is a need to declare a leptospirosis outbreak.

 — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News