Leptospirosis surge alarms health workers

ILOILO CITY—The number of cases of leptospirosis infection has risen significantly in Western Visayas this year prompting health officials to heighten their campaign against the disease.

The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Western Visayas reported 319 leptospirosis cases in the region from Jan. 1-Aug. 13 this year.

This is 349 percent higher than the 71 cases monitored during the same period last year. Most of the victims (92 percent) were male.

Leptospirosis is a diseases transmitted to humans through water that has been contaminated with animal urine like rats, swine and carabao.

Humans can be infected through open wounds or skin lesions or through the eyes. Its symptoms include fever, chills, intense headache that could lead to complications like meningitis, renal failure, respiratory distress and death.

Iloilo province, including Iloilo City, accounted for more than half of the number of cases with 175 followed by Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, with 85, Capiz (17), Antique (9) and Guimaras (4).