DOH: 153 leptospirosis deaths from January to June

At least 153 have died nationwide due to leptospirosis from January to June this year, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III revealed on Friday.

Of this number, 73 were from Metro Manila, while 561 other victims have been hospitalized, Duque told Radyo Inquirer.

“Malaki na. Kaya hindi ito dapat balewalain ng ating mga kababayan dahil talagang nakamamatay ito,” he said.

(It’is already big that’s why the public should not neglect this because it is really fatal.)

“Dapat kapag may sintomas na, wag nang magdalawang isip. Kinakailangang tumakbo na sa pinakamalapit na pagamutan,” the health secretary added.

(If there are symptoms, don’t think twice. They should immediately go to the nearest hospital.)

Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, headache, and extreme redness of eyes. Duque warned.

He said the spike has been caused by heavy rainfall brought by consecutive typhoons during the rainy season.

“Kasi nga kakaiba yung mga pag-ulan natin, minsan walang patid. Minsan buong linggo umuulan,” he said.

(It’s because the rainy season is different, sometimes it doesn’t stop. Sometimes it rains for the whole week.)

Duque also reminded local government units to do its preventive measures to prevent further cases.  /muf