DOH: Leptospirosis cases up due to floods

By: Janine Oro

Amidst recent flooding caused by the heavy rains, the Department of Health (DOH) reported an increase in the number of cases of leptospirosis.

According to a Disease Surveillance report issued by the DOH, 2,471 leptospirosis cases were reported nationwide from January 1 to August 18 this year- 62.35% higher compared to last year’s 1,522 reported cases.

Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Enrique A. Tayag, the director of the National Epidemiology Center, explained that there were only 176 cases from August 5 to 15. However, the numbers rose to 564 from August 16 to 22, when the monsoon floods occurred.

Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria species. Poor sanitation, increased informal settlers in urban areas, frequent typhoons and expansion of flooding areas in the country has exacerbated the risk of leptospirosis infection in the Philippines.

Leptospires can gain entry through cuts and abrasions in the skin and through mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.

The drug Doxycycline is reported to give some degree of protection to exposed individuals from non-endemic areas.

DOH placed government hospitals in the flood-affected areas under “Code-Blue” to prepare for the imminent influx of leptospirosis patients. Code Blue puts all medical personnel on 24-hour duty to accept and treat incoming patients.

A quick count of admissions of leptospirosis cases in 14 DOH and local government hospitals in Metro Manila alone from August 5-22 already recorder 783 cases and 34 deaths.

The largest increase was reported in Northern Mindanao, wherein leptospirosis cases soared to a staggering 926 from 10 in 2011.

Patients were reported to have experienced fever, muscle pain, headache, calf-muscle pain and reddish eyes in some cases. 

Severe cases often result to liver and/or brain complications and kidney failure.  Thus, some cases may involve yellowish body discoloration, low urine output, severe headache, dark-colored urine and light stools. Patients are advised to seek the doctor as soon as these signs and symptoms appear.

DOH, in its effort to reduce the incidence of Leptospirosis cases, promotes the slogan: “Buhay ay mahalaga, huwag lumusong sa baha”.