Leptospirosis cases, deaths up

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 1,600 leptospirosis cases have been recorded in the country since January, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

A disease surveillance report of the DOH showed that 1,582 cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to June 3 .

This is 72 percent higher compared to the 920 reported during the same period last year.

Western Visayas recorded the highest number of leptospirosis cases at 270 followed by Cagayan Valley with 220 and Davao, 139.

Compared to last year, the regions with the highest increase in cases are Zamboanga peninsula at 553 percent or from 15 to 98 cases; Mimaropa, 418 percent or from 11 to 57, and Calabarzon, 125 percent or from 32 to 72 cases.

Data from the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau showed an increase in deaths due to leptospirosis.

At least 161 deaths have so far been recorded compared to 135 last year.

Leptospirosis, according to the World Health Organization, is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals.

It can occur worldwide but is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.

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