DOH warns vs. expected rise in PH leptospirosis cases

The Department of Health (DOH) is now on alert for a projected rise in leptospirosis cases in the country following weeks of heavy rains and floods due to three tropical cyclones and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

In an advisory on Saturday, the Health Department reported that it has already logged 3,037 leptospirosis cases from January 1 to July 19.

Of this number, a total of 1,114 cases were recorded since June 8—about a week after weather bureau PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season. 

From July 13 to 31, hospitals run by the DOH had 569 cases. Health facilities which registered the highest number of leptospirosis cases during this period are: East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City (QC) with 32, Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila City with 26, and National Kidney and Transplant Institute in QC with 19.

Leptospirosis, which can lead to death in severe cases, is a bacterial infection transmitted by animals such as rodents. Urine from infected rats could mix with floodwater during heavy rains, and could therefore enter the human body of people wading through floods. 

Common symptoms include fever, headaches, chills, body aches, and eye redness. These may be experienced two days or as long as four weeks after exposure to leptospirosis.

The DOH warned Filipinos to take following health precautions against the disease:

• wash your body with soap, especially parts of the body submerged in floods
• monitor yourself for possible symptoms
• even without symptoms, consult a health professional if exposed to floodwaters
• drink medicine against leptospirosis only upon the prescription of a doctor

On July 16, PAGASA reported that a low pressure area developed into Tropical Depression Crising inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Crising eventually gained strength to become a tropical cyclone, and was followed by similar weather disturbances Dante and Emong. The three cyclones enhanced the Southwest Monsoon, which dumped heavy rains across the country in July.

In its July 29 situational report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 34 reported deaths due to Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Habagat have been recorded.

Flooding hit 526 areas, while 30 landslides were logged, the NDRRMC said.

Affected families numbered 1,857,171 or 6,670,506 persons. A total of 33,694 families or 113,646 persons stayed in evacuation centers while 21,299 families or 80,496 persons sought shelter outside these facilities. — VDV, GMA Integrated News