By Anna Valmero
MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA— The Department of Health (DoH) is warning the public not to wade in floodwaters without wearing protective rubber boots to avoid getting infection from leptospirosis.
A total of 454 cases were reported to the DoH from January to May 21, indicating a 74.6-percent increase from last year. For the first half of the year, 32 deaths were already recorded, which is four times higher than last year's eight cases.
The best defense against leptospirosis is not to wade in floodwater but if wading cannot be prevented, wear protective boots to prevent contact with floodwaters, the agency said.
Nearly a third of the cases (131 cases) were reported in Western Visayas, followed by Bicol Region and Central Luzon with 50 cases each.
Western Visayas was endemic for leptospirosis so medical professionals and health workers had a high level of awareness of the disease’s signs and symptoms resulting in a high number of detected cases, the DoH said.
The rise of cases in Bicol and Central Luzon were due to floods by typhoon Bebeng during the first week of May this year, the agency added.
Symptoms include fever, chills, intense headache. In extreme cases, complications like meningitis, renal failure, respiratory distress, may arise and lead to death.
“Leptospirosis is an infection commonly transmitted to humans from water that has been contaminated by animal urine (usually rats) and comes in contact with broken skin, eyes, or parts with mucous membranes,” DoH Secretary Enrique Ona said.
The official said the rainy season is not yet over, and that the public should wear boots if wading cannot be avoided.
