Surge in leptospirosis cases seen

By: Frances Mangosing - 10 years ago

ACTING Health Secretary
Janette Garin

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health is expecting a surge in leptospirosis cases due to Typhoon Ruby.

“We are expecting a possible rise of leptospirosis [cases] because of the floods,” said Acting Secretary Janette Garin on Thursday at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council briefing.

Garin said people who waded in floodwaters should go to any nearby health facility to get preventive treatment.

“They could also ask for doxycycline (antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections) to avoid complications,” Garin said.

Leptospirosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by the US, is a bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil. Humans can be infected throughout contact with urine of infected animals or water, soil, for food contaminated with the urine of the infected animals.

The bacteria can enter the body through the eyes, nose, mouth, broken or cut skin.

Some of its symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting.

As of Thursday, around 940,000 persons remained in evacuation sites, data from the NDRRMC said.

Garin also warned of tetanus infections.

“Sa mga nasugatan pumunta sa pinakamalapit na health center para sa anti-tetanus shot at antibiotc para mapigilan ang anumang kumplikasyon. Bago pumunta sa health center, hugasan ng tubig at simpleng sabon,” she said.

Children in evacuation centers who are six months to five years old would be given vaccinations for anti-polio, measles and additional Vitamin A to boost the immune system.

Garin sees a possible increase in diarrhea cases in evacuation centers due to disrupted water supply.

“May disruption sa water supply so may posibilidad ng diarrhea or acute gastroenteritis,” she said.

“Sa mga bata, aside from [water purifying tablets], importante na pakuluan ang tubig. After kumulo magdagdag ng dalawang minuto para sigurado,” she added.

There are also possibilities of dengue and chikungunya, which are transmitted by mosquitoes.

“Another thing is dengue and chikungunya. Kung may nararamdaman at masyadong masakit or nanghihina at [may] lagnat na umaabot sa dalawang a raw at hindi nagagamot, dalhin agad sa hospital or nearby health facility para mas madaling maagapan,” Garin said.