Lepto cases in Central Luzon up 23%

SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Regional Office here has recorded 103 leptospirosis cases in the region from January 1 to July 28 this year, 23 percent higher than the 84 cases reported in the same period last year.

Of the total cases, there were six recorded deaths in a span of seven months, lower than 13 in the similar period in 2017.

Dr. Jessie Fantone, head of the  Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the DOH-Central Luzon, advised residents of the region to avoid wading in floodwater.

“The general rule, our advisory is that any exposure to floodwater, whether big or small, is already a risk to leptospirosis,” Fantone said.

Out of the seven provinces in the region, Nueva Ecija has the most number of cases with 40; followed by Tarlac and Zambales with 18 cases each; Pampanga with 11 cases;  Bulacan, 10; Bataan, 4; and Aurora, 2.

He explained that leptospirosis is transmitted to humans through water that has been contaminated with the urine of animals like rats.

“Humans can be infected through open wounds or skin lesions or through the eyes. This rainy season, we are advising the public against wading in floodwaters and we are encouraging them to wear rubber boots when walking in flooded areas,” he said.

He assured that the DOH has enough supply of doxycycline, an antibiotic that is recommended to fight leptospirosis.

“If one already took doxycycline before wading in floodwaters, usually, leptospirosis is either mild or will no longer develop,” he said.

Fantone also asked the local government units (LGUs) and the residents to maintain cleanliness of surroundings.

Leptospirosis is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which enters the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes when a person comes in contact with floodwater or moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.

Its symptoms include high fever, muscle pain, headache, redness of the eyes, chills, and tea-colored urine.

It could lead to kidney failure and in some cases, affects the lungs and brain.