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Almost a month after the Philippine weather bureau announced on June 8 that the rainy season officially began in the Philippines, the growing number of cases of leptospirosis nationwide has alarmed the Ministry of Health. According to the Secretary of Health, Francisco T. Duque III, heavy floods caused by heavy rains have contributed to the increase in the number of cases of leptospirosis, an infection caused by a bacterium found in the urine of rats and other animals.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by leptospiral bacteria, which can be transmitted by cuts and wounds with urine-contaminated floodwaters of infected animals. This disease can be deadly. Symptoms include high fever, headaches, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain and red eyes, which are quite common with other ailments. This is why it is important for patients to tell their doctor that they have been exposed to floods.
From January 1 to June 9, the Ministry of Health registered 1,030 cases. That's 41 percent more than the number of leptospirosis cases recorded during the same period last year. What is alarming, however, is that 99 patients died because of leptospirosis.
In Metro Manila, 234 cases were recorded by the DOH from 1 January to 1 July, 60% more. 2017. To top the list of cities with the highest number of cases of leptospirosis in the metropolitan area of Manila is Quezon City with 87, followed by Manila, Taguig, Parañaque, Caloocan, Las Piñas and Pasig. At present, 38 people have died from leptospirosis in Metro Manila.
In Western Visayas, Region 6 recorded 232 cases of leptospirosis with 27 deaths between January 1 and June 16. 83; followed by the province of Iloilo with 58; Capiz, 33 years old; Guimaras, 27; 13 in the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod; Aklan with three, and one in the province of Antique.
With the alarming number of leptospirosis cases nationwide, the health secretary has advised patients against self-medication. Instead, Duque urged the public to consult a doctor after they have sunk themselves in the floodwaters even though they have no open sore where bacteria can enter. He said the Ministry of Health was distributing drugs and other medical equipment to public hospitals to make sure they are ready to handle the peak of leptospirosis.
Duque reminded the public that as much as possible they should avoid submerging themselves. But if this is unavoidable, they must use protective gears like rubber boots to not be infected. He encouraged those who were experiencing the symptoms of the disease to seek timely medical help because leptospirosis could be fatal.
Leptospirosis is a type of disease in two phases. At first, the patient will have the symptoms, he will recover and the illness will return. It is at this point that complications will manifest – complications to the liver, possible meningitis, and the kidneys could also be affected.
Before things get so bad, the government – especially the Ministry of Health – should strengthen its national information campaign. public awareness of this deadly disease.
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