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ALARMING Health Secretary Francisco Duque III visits leptospirosis patients at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on July 2. -MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday declared leptospirosis outbreaks in several barangays in seven cities in Metro Manila, citing the rising number of deaths due to the bacterial, water-borne disease over the last two weeks.
According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the cases in the following cities form the basis of the statement:
- Quezon City : Barangay Bagbag (3 cases), Bagong Silangan (5), Batasan Hills (9), Commonwealth (7), Novaliches Proper (4), Payatas (5), Pinyahan (3) and Vasra (4)
- Taguig City : Barangay Lower Bicutan (5), Western Bicutan (4), Maharlika Village (3) and Signal Village (4)
- Pasig City: Barangay Pinagbuhatan (4)
- Paranaque City: Barangay BF Homes (3) and San Dionisio (3)
- Navotas City: North Bay South Boulevard (3)
- Mandaluyong C ity: Barangay Addition Hills (3)
- Malabon City: Barangay Concepcion (3)
From Jan. 1 to July 3 this year, the DOH recorded a total of 368 leptospirosis cases-with 52 resulting in deaths in the National Capital Region.
A sudden increase (105) was observed from June 10 to July 3, Noting that this was 38-percent higher compared to 76 cases reported in the past five years.
"These are already considered outbreaks because they have already breached the epidemic threshold, which means that the cases reported now in these
The DOH has alerted hospitals to the National Capital Region to be more admitted to patients, he added.
"Detection and reporting of cases were enhanced in health centers and hospitals. Additional medical personnel have been deployed to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute along with drugs and medicines for the treatment of cases, "he said.
Leptospirosis can be acquired by exposure to water flood, mud or food contaminated by urine of infected animals as rats, pigs, dogs, cattle and goats. Sufferers usually feel flu-like symptoms, high fever, muscle bread, eye redness, yellowing of skin, tea-colored urine, urine output, cough, diarrhea and vomiting.
If left untreated, leptospirosis can cause kidney failure, brain
Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, 1965, p. (PhilHealth) reminded members that it pays for claims for leptospirosis. Philanthropy coverage for the disease is at P11,000, including the settlement of doctor's fees, paid directly to the accredited health care institutions.
In 2017, PhilHealth paid a total of P21.8 million in social health insurance benefits for leptospirosis cases , up by 46 percent compared to P15 million in 2016.
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