A total of 589 cases of leptospirosis were recorded from January 1 to June 19 this year, compared to 520 reported during the same period in 2020.
THE Covid-19 pandemic is not the only disease people should watch out for, the Department of Health (DOH) warned.
Following recent thunderstorms in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, the DOH said cases of leptospirosis are also on the rise.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie reported Friday (July 23) that leptospirosis cases during January to June this year went up by 13 percent compared to the same period last year.
A total of 589 cases of leptospirosis were recorded from January 1 to June 19 this year, compared to 520 reported during the same period in 2020.
The case fatality rate from leptospirosis also rose to 11.4 percent in 2021 from 9.8 percent in 2020.
Vergeire said the highest leptospirosis incidence was seen in the Cordillera region with 1.49 cases per 100,000 population, followed by Region 6 with 1.34 cases and Region 2 with 1.33 cases.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease caused by animal urine that gets mixed up with floodwater during the rainy season.
The bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, yellowish skin, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rashes.
“Tayo po ay mag-iingat pag tayo ay lumulusong sa baha. Kailangan po nating magsuot ng mga protective gear… Tayo po ay laging maglilinis ng paa pagkatapos tayo ay lumusong, hugasan ng sabon at tubig,” Vergeire said.
“Kailangan po, linisin natin ang kapaligiran natin. Nakukuha po natin ang leptospirosis dahil po sa ihi ng mga hayop na napupunta po sa gutter natin ng tubig,” she added.
Tags: #DepartmentOfHealth, #leptospirosis, #rainyseason, #bacteria