Leptospirosis cases may still go up —DOH

The number of leptospirosis cases may still rise in the next few days, the Department of Health spokesperson said on Saturday.

"Ang warning po namin is noong July 26, noong weekend na 'yon, counting from that up to today, naka-one week pa lang tayo more or less. Remember po ang incubation period ng leptospirosis is one to two weeks. So maaari pang tumaas 'yung numero [ng mga kaso]. Sana hindi na [tumaas]," DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(Our warning is that counting from the weekend of July 26 up to today, it has only been one week more or less. Remember that the incubation period of leptospirosis is one to two weeks. So the number [of leptospirosis cases] may still go up. We hope it won't go up.)

Domingo was referring to the time when the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong caused heavy rains and flooding in many parts of the country. Many Filipinos had to wade through floods to get to their homes or their work places.

From July 13 to August 6, a total of 1,272 leptospirosis cases were recorded nationwide, Domingo earlier said.

Asked if this is alarming, Domingo said the DOH compared this year's numbers to that of last year.

"Na-realize namin noong July 2024, [during Typhoon] Carina, ganitong ganito rin. Mas mataas 'yung numero noong nakaraang taon comparatively. Pero hindi natin sinasabi na maging kampante," the DOH spokesperson said.

(We realized that in July 2024, [during Typhoon] Carina, it was also like this. The number of cases then was higher comparatively. But we are not saying we should not be worried.)

Meanwhile, a total of 2,396 leptospirosis cases were recorded by DOH from June 8, a week after PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season, until August 7.

Of the recent cases, Domingo said: "Ito 'yung sinasabi natin sa Department of Health na kapag nagkaroon ng baha, at tayo ay napalusong tayo sa baha tapos mga 1 to 2 weeks later, wala tayong ginawa--kahit walang naramdaman sa simula, darating ang lagnat, pananakit ng katawan." 

(This is what the Department of Health is saying, that when there is flood and we waded through it, after 1 to 2 weeks and we did not do anything, even if there were no initial symptoms, there will be fever and body pains.)

"'Yung nakikita natin ngayon, kaya sila nasa ospital, 'yan ang leptospirosis na tinatawag na severe. Bakit po? Tinatamaan ang kanilang bato, kidneys. Meron tayong nakikita na tinatamaan ang baga, yung lungs. Maaari ring tamaan ang utak. Nagkakaroon din sa ating brain," he added.

(The cases we see now, they are in the hospital due to severe leptospirosis. Why? Their kidneys were already affected. We have also seen cases of the lungs becoming affected. Even the brain may also be affected.)

Domingo said East Avenue Medical Center tops the list of DOH hospitals in terms of the number of admitted leptospirosis patients. This is followed by: San Lazaro Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Sta. Ana Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, Quezon City General Hospital, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, Ilocos Training and Regional Center, Dr. Jose M Rodriguez (Tala Memorial Hospital) and Tondo Medical Center.

Domingo said local government units may contact the Metro Manila Center for Health Development at 0956-175-3710 or 0920-251-1800 to find out which hospitals can readily accommodate leptospirosis patients.

He also said all DOH hospitals are capable of treating leptospirosis and conducting dialysis, both the chemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

The DOH also said its hospitals are on alert and leptospirosis fast lanes were also put up in some of them to immediately assist patients showing symptoms.

Go to the doctor

Domingo then advised those who waded through floodwaters recently to seek medical attention.

"Para huwag tumaas [ang bilang ng mga kaso], sa lahat ng napalusong sa baha, hindi pa huli ang lahat. Kahit lumampas na kayo ng isa o dalawang araw, kung may nararamdaman na lagnat o kaya pananakit ng kalamnan, huwag niyo na hintayin na mamula o manilaw ang mata o mawalan ng ihi. Pumunta na sa doktor," he said.

(So the number of cases won't have to go up, to all those who waded through floods, it is not yet too late. Even if you missed one or two days, if you have fever or body pains, don't wait for your eyes to become reddish or yellowish, or urine output to get lesser. Go to the doctor.)

"Puwede na kayong simulan sa antibiotic ng hindi ina-admit sa ospital," Domingo said.

(You can be started on antibiotics without having to be admitted in the hospital.) —KG, GMA Integrated News