DOH: Leptospirosis cases rise by 201%

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported a 201-percent jump in the number of leptospirosis cases across the country this year.

DOH disease units nationwide  reported 2,596 leptospirosis cases from January 1 to October 22. Of these, 196 resulted in death.

Most of the cases were monitored in western Visayas, accounting for 1,132 or 43.61 percent of the total reported in the last 10 months. The number of cases in  Metro Manila accounted for 18.99 percent and Central Luzon, 6.78 percent.

Health officials had expected a spike in leptospirosis following the typhoons that pummeled the country this year, causing massive flooding in many communities.

Leptospirosis is an infection commonly transmitted to humans—especially those with lesions in the skin or eyes—from water that has been contaminated by animal urine, particularly rats.

Jocelyn R. Uy