INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The total number of leptospirosis cases in the country this year is 15 percent higher compared to the same period in 2021, the Department of Health said on Monday.
In data shared with reporters, DOH said there were 1,467 leptospirosis cases reported from January 1 to August 20, compared to 1,278 cases in the same period in 2021.
Most of the cases reported were from Metro Manila with 279 cases (19 percent), Cagayan Valley with 174 cases (12 percent), and Western Visayas 174 cases (12 percent).
There were also 205 deaths reported for leptospirosis, 14 deaths in January; February, 11; March, 23; April, 32; May, 29; June, 29; July, 53; and August, 14.
A water-borne bacterial disease, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death when not treated properly.
The World Health Organization said leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira, which could be carried by different wild and domestic animals such as rodents, pigs, dogs, horses, cattle, and other wild animals.— with Lyka Farillon, Inquirer.net trainee