Leptospirosis cases, deaths increase – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — There are now nearly 3,000 leptospirosis cases in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In its latest disease surveillance report, the DOH said 2,794 cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Oct. 29.

The cases were 68 percent higher compared to the 1,661 reported during the same period last year.

The National Capital Region (NCR) recorded the highest number of cases at 644 followed by Western Visayas with 338 and Cagayan Valley, 284.

Soccsksargen logged the highest increase in cases compared to last year at 2,400 percent or from one to 25; Northern Mindanao, 545 percent or from 11 to 71, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 500 percent or from two to 12.

Data from the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau showed that 370 deaths due to leptospirosis were recorded in the past 10 months, a case fatality rate of 13.2 percent.

During the same period last year, 278 deaths were recorded, a case fatality rate of 10.7 percent.

NCR has the most number of deaths with 75 followed by Western Visayas, 56 and Central Luzon, 44.

Leptospirosis cases in Zamboanga City have breached the epidemic threshold, city health officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite reported on Friday.

She said 97 cases and 12 deaths were reported in the city in the past two weeks alone.

Miravite said the spike in cases was reported following widespread flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals.

Human infection occurs through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment.

The DOH has been reminding the public, especially those with open wounds, to avoid wading in floodwaters.