DOH: Leptospirosis cases rising amid rainy season

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported a rise in leptospirosis cases in recent weeks as the country moves into the rainy season.  

A total of 878 leptospirosis cases have been recorded in the country as of June 15, with 84 resulting in deaths, according to DOH’s latest data.

From that number, 83 cases were recorded from June 2-15 which is higher than the 60 cases logged from May 19 to June 1.

“While this is only around half of the number of Leptospirosis cases (1,769) in the same period last year, the DOH has observed that the weekly case count has started rising with the rains,” the DOH said.

All regions, except from Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, noted an increase in leptospirosis cases over the previous month. 

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by animals like rodents. Infected animal urine like those from infected rats could mix with flood water during heavy rains, and could therefore enter the human body of those wading through floods. 

Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, and headache. Some cases also experience distinct pain in the calf muscles and reddish eyes, while severe cases may have jaundice (yellowish body discoloration), dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, low urine output, and severe headache. 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa advised people to avoid wading through or playing in flood water to prevent getting leptospirosis. If it can’t be avoided, he said people should wear boots and wash their body immediately with clean water and soap afterwards. 

People who had direct contact with flood water should also consult doctors for a preventive antibiotic prescription.

"We also urge our local governments to declog flood drains and implement rodent control so that there will not be less chances for transmission to humans," Herbosa said in a statement. —VAL, GMA Integrated News