CITY OF SAN FERNANDO?Health officials here expressed alarm over the increase in the number of leptospirosis cases in flooded provinces after 16 people died in Central Luzon and Pangasinan.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said health workers were closely watching Pampanga and other Central Luzon provinces, especially flooded villages, following the high number of leptospirosis cases there.

The Department of Health in Central Luzon reported 13 deaths from 117 leptospirosis cases from September to October.

Of the number of cases, 61 are from Nueva Ecija; 22, Bulacan; 21, Tarlac; 9, Pampanga; and 4, Aurora.

Last year, only four leptospirosis cases were reported in the same period.

Duque blamed the floods for the high number of leptospirosis cases. ?We cannot control the infection especially if flood waters are high,? he said.

Health officials asked residents in flooded areas to use protective gear, like boots, when wading in flood waters.

Sudden onset of fever, headache and chills are some of the symptoms of leptospirosis.

In Pangasinan, Dr. Mike Canto, Region 1 Medical Center spokesperson, reported three deaths from leptospirosis in the province between Oct. 13 and 28.