DOH: 156 deaths due to leptospirosis in 2022 so far

At least 156 Filipinos have died of leptospirosis this year so far, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

In a press briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that a total of 1,178 leptospirosis cases have been recorded in 2022, of which 165 cases were detected in the period from June 26 to July 23.

The DOH OIC said that the regions that have recorded the most leptospirosis cases in this most recent period were the National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.

“Mayroon na rin po tayong nakita na case fatality mula Enero hanggang July kung saan 156 deaths were reported already for leptospirosis,” Vergeire said.

(Case fatalities for the period from January to July total 156.)

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial disease that affects humans and animals alike. It is caused by the spiral-shaped Leptospira bacteria, which can be transmitted to humans through exposure to the urine of infected animals or water or soil that has been contaminated by infected animal urine.

Floods can potentially increase the transmission of the disease.

“We know that every time there is a rainy season, nagbabaha, mas vulnerable po ang population natin sa ganitong klaseng sakit [it floods, and the public becomes more vulnerable to the illness),” Vergeire said.

Vergeire earlier urged the public to take precautions when wading through floodwaters: to wear boots, wash their feet after contact with floodwater, and to get checked by a healthcare professional in case of symptoms. — with Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News