DOH: Leptospirosis cases continue to rise

MANILA, Philippines - The incidence of leptospirosis continues to rise weeks after the southwest monsoon brought massive flooding in Metro Manila and several other regions, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

In fact, government health experts said the flooding had triggered more leptospirosis cases than last year’s Cagayan de Oro flashfloods.

Data from the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center showed that the number of leptospirosis cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 18 has reached 2,471.

The figure was 62 percent higher than the 1,522 leptospirosis patients confined in government hospitals during the same period last year.

“This year’s cases were also higher than the leptospirosis cases resulting from the flashflood that hit Cagayan de Oro in December 2011,” experts noted.

Northern Mindanao accounted for the biggest number or 37 percent of the total recorded cases, followed by Western Visayas at 18 percent and the National Capital Region with 9.1 percent.

Western Visayas and NCR, however, posted higher number of fatalities than Northern Mindanao.

Based on NEC data, leptospirosis killed 139 people nationwide during the covered period.

Western Visayas accounted for 47 of the total deaths while NCR posted 35 deaths, with Quezon City reporting the highest number of 18 fatalities.

DOH previously warned the public against the possible surge of leptospirosis due to the massive flooding in various regions.

Leptospirosis has an incubation period of three to 10 days before a patient would manifest symptoms of the potentially fatal disease.

Those who would get fever after wading in floodwaters must immediately consult doctors.

Meanwhile, Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Gina de Venecia has brought 70,000 capsules of doxycycline prophylaxis yesterday for distribution as pre-emptive measure against leptospirosis for high risk individuals exposed to flooding that has been plaguing nine barangays until now.

De Venecia used her congressional fund to purchase the medicine after reports showed 25 leptospirosis cases under treatment and eight casualties in Poblacion Oeste, Bonuan Gueset, Mayombo, Malued, and Pantal.

Health workers and staff will facilitate capsule distribution in Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Caranglaan, Lasip Grande, Lasip Chico, Malued, Pogo Grande, Pogo Chico, Lucao, Mayombo and Pantal.

City health officer Leonard Carbonell earlier told The STAR that he is alarmed by the number of patients who sought medical examination late and consequently died within 24 hours of admission.

All the casualties were males aged 19 to 57 years old.

Of the 25 cases this August, three are females while the youngest case was an eight-year-old female. – With Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu, Danny Dingcalan