FILE PHOTO: Sign in a hospital for patients with leptospirosis. INQUIRER FILES
Quezon City reported a sharp spike in cases of leptospirosis, a blood infection associated with wading in floodwater, with a staggering 108.27% increase from Jan. 1 to Oct. 7 this year compared to the same period last year.
The data, released by the Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, identified 277 confirmed cases of leptospirosis within the period.
District 2 emerged as the area most severely affected, reporting a total of 72 cases, while District 5 displayed relatively lower numbers with 28 cases.
Tragically, 33 of these cases resulted in death.
Leptospirosis, a potentially life-threatening bacterial disease affecting both humans and animals, is caused by spiral-shaped bacteria belonging to the genus Leptospira.
The disease spreads through the urine of infected animals and is commonly found in fresh water, soil and mud. Its symptoms encompass a range of discomforts, including high fever, headaches, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea and rash.
In the wake of typhoons or floods, cases of leptospirosis often witness a sharp surge. —Russel P. Loreto