Leptospirosis deaths up

MANILA, Philippines — At least 119 people have died of leptospirosis since January, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

The DOH Epidemiology Bureau said the number of deaths is higher compared to the 98 recorded during the same period last year.

A total of 1,194 leptospirosis cases were reported nationwide. ”This is 37.7 percent higher compared to the same period last year which had 867,” the DOH said.

Metro Manila has the highest number of cases with 261 followed by Central Luzon with 131 and Western Visayas, 128.

The Ilocos and Davao regions recorded 122 and 119 cases, respectively.

Eastern Visayas recorded the highest increase in the number of cases at 650 percent while Davao reported an increase of 526 percent.

Cases in Central Visayas, Caraga, the Cordilleras and Cagayan Valley also increased by more than 100 percent compared to last year.

The DOH said the increase in cases was due to continuing rains and flooding.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted through the entry of the leptospira bacteria to open wounds when in contact with flood waters or moist soil.

Among the symptoms of the disease are fever, muscle pain, headache, dark-colored urine, reddish eyes and problems in the liver, kidney or brain.