ILOILO CITY — Farmers in Iloilo province, especially those who have open wounds, should avoid exposure to contaminated water to prevent being infected with leptospirosis.
This was the reminder of Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, chief of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), on Tuesday following the reported rise in the number of leptospirosis cases.
“Rainy season is already starting and most of our farmers are preparing their farmlands for the next planting season. We are reminding them to avoid exposure in areas with water,” she said.
But if they cannot avoid it, they are encouraged to use rubber boots or even use plastics to cover their feet especially in areas with wounds, she said.
Trabado also advised them that if they were previously exposed in contaminated water and experiencing some of the symptoms of leptospirosis like fever, they should immediately consult the doctor.
Based on the data of PHO, there are already 61 leptospirosis cases with seven deaths in the province from January 1 to June 23.
Most of these cases are in the towns of Pototan and Oton with eight cases each. Cabatuan has six cases while Maasin and Lambunao have five cases each.
Trabado said that local government units are encouraged to be watchful of their areas especially when there is flood.
Leptospirosis as a bacterial infection cause by leptospira spirochetes bacteria that is spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rats.
The symptoms of the disease include high fever, muscle pain, redness of the eye, chills, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, or yellowish skin discoloration.
“If they (public) experience these symptoms after they are exposed to floods, they should seek consultation in their RHU (rural health unit) because the doctors already know what they should do,” she said. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
