DOH sees rise in leptospirosis cases after Carina, Habagat floods

Cases of leptospirosis are expected to increase in the coming days as heavy rains due to Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) resulted in severe flooding in parts of Luzon, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

At a press conference, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said that the incubation period of leptospirosis is five to 14 days, so cases may start to increase next week.

“Dadami ‘yan (cases), sinasabi ko sa inyo. Dadami ‘yan next week. And by that time, tsaka namin isa-set up ‘yung [leptospirosis] lane,” Herbosa told reporters.

(The cases will increase, I tell you. That will increase next week. And by that time, we will set up the leptospirosis lane.)

He, however, explained that what’s more important than setting up leptospirosis lanes in healthcare facilities is disseminating information on how to identify, diagnose, and treat the disease.

“Ang tubig baha ay madumi. Hindi dapat mag-swimming, hindi dapat siya gamiting swimming pool… Pagbawalan natin ang mga bata sa baha,” Herbosa said.

(Flood water is dirty. People should not be swimming in floodwaters… Let's prohibit children from wading through floods.)

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.

As of July 13, a total of 1,258 leptospirosis cases were recorded in the country so far this year, with 133 deaths.

The following regions had increases in leptospirosis cases from June 2-July 13: Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, Soccsksargen, Western Visayas, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News