Lepto deaths in NCR now at 148 - DOH
The number of fatalities from leptospirosis in the National Capital Region (NCR) has soared from 89 to 148 in one week, the government said on Thursday.
Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), the number of leptospirosis cases in the NCR has climbed to 1,963 from the 1,027 recorded last October 15, according to a report from GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez.
Eric Tayag, DOH chief epidemiologist, had earlier said the number of leptospirosis cases in the country is one of the highest in the world.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or by contact with a urine-contaminated environment such as surface water, floodwater, soil, and plants.
The DOH said most of the patients in the NCR were from areas that were flooded due to tropical storm “Ondoy."
Tayag said the recorded leptospirosis deaths in the country from 2004 to 2006 were only at 40, while the number of people afflicted with the disease was only at 640.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is a possibility that DOH’s recent figure would surge further because the date was collated from 15 hospitals only.
The DOH has already tapped five private hospitals to accommodate the deluge of leptospirosis cases. These hospitals are Capitol Medical Center, MCU-F.D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital, Los Baños Doctors Hospital, and The Medical City.
Tayag said they have also sought the help of the international community to address the rapid increase of deaths because of the disease. - GMANews.TV
Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), the number of leptospirosis cases in the NCR has climbed to 1,963 from the 1,027 recorded last October 15, according to a report from GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez.
Eric Tayag, DOH chief epidemiologist, had earlier said the number of leptospirosis cases in the country is one of the highest in the world.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or by contact with a urine-contaminated environment such as surface water, floodwater, soil, and plants.
The DOH said most of the patients in the NCR were from areas that were flooded due to tropical storm “Ondoy."
Tayag said the recorded leptospirosis deaths in the country from 2004 to 2006 were only at 40, while the number of people afflicted with the disease was only at 640.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is a possibility that DOH’s recent figure would surge further because the date was collated from 15 hospitals only.
The DOH has already tapped five private hospitals to accommodate the deluge of leptospirosis cases. These hospitals are Capitol Medical Center, MCU-F.D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital, Los Baños Doctors Hospital, and The Medical City.
Tayag said they have also sought the help of the international community to address the rapid increase of deaths because of the disease. - GMANews.TV
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