ILOILO CITY — The public is encouraged to seek “timely medical help” if they manifest symptoms of the leptospirosis because it could be “fatal” when disregarded.
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the leptospira bacteria which can be transmitted through cuts and wounds with floodwaters, vegetation or moist soil contaminated with urine of infected animals, said Dr. Rose Marie Lamirez of the Department of Health (DOH) 6 (Western Visayas) in a press conference on Tuesday.
Among its signs and symptoms are fever, muscle pain, headache and calf muscle pain and reddish eyes for some cases.
In severe cases, it can lead to fatal infections of the kidney, liver, brain, lung or heart.
An early consultation is recommended in case of a fever that lasts for two days.
Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, head of the DOH 6 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), said that since January 1 until June 23 this year, they have recorded 239 cases with 29 deaths, or an increase of 22 percent compared to the same period last year.
Capiz and Negros Occidental recorded eight deaths each; six in Iloilo City; three in Guimaras; two in Iloilo City and one each in Aklan and Bacolod City.
In 2017, DOH recorded 196 cases with 19 deaths during the same period, he said.
However, cases are declining as most of the cases were recorded in January and February.
While rat happens to be a “very efficient spreader” of leptospirosis, Alonsabe said that other animals such as carabao, pig and goat, among others can also spread the disease.
He said that the bacteria can stay in the body of these animals even for years because they serve as “intermediate host”.
Among those vulnerable to the infection are farmers, workers in slaughterhouse, veterinarians, sewer workers and military personnel. Once can also get infected while doing recreational activities such as swimming.
“Environmental sanitation and garbage disposal are very important in urban areas,” Alonsabe said.
He advised the need to wear protective clothing, and always wash their feet with a running water and soap and not in irrigation canals.
Dr. Sophia Pulmones, chief of the Local Health Support Division, said that the government through the DOH is doing something to address the concern.
“We have preventive measures, we have treatment and we also have information dissemination wherein we give correct and appropriate information to the general public, especially the high risk group,” she said. (PNA)
