DOH records 631 cases of leptospirosis in first 4 months

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said it recorded a total of 631 cases of leptospirosis from Jan. 1 to May 7, 2022.

This number, said the DOH in a statement, is 6 percent higher compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2021, which was at 596.

According to the health department, weekly recorded cases were initially lower during the start of the year, but jumped significantly after it recorded 338 cases from March 13 to April 30, which was 193 percent higher compared to the same period in 2021.

Meanwhile, 154 cases were recorded  from April 10 to May 5 — most of the which were from the same regions with the following distribution:

• Western Visayas: 31 (20 percent)
• Cagayan Valley: 23 (15 percent)
• Metro Manila: 20 (13 percent)

Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Mindanao, and Cordillera Administrative Region also showed case increases in the recent four morbidity weeks, April 10 to May 7, said the DOH.

With this, the DOH cautioned the public to avoid the said bacterial disease by staying dry, and avoiding flood water. However, if the need arises, the DOH recommended the use of footwear like waterproof boots.

“Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about how to properly take post-exposure medicine after being exposed to flood waters, and if you get any signs or symptoms like fever or headache,” said the DOH.

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JPV