DOH chief sounds alarm over rising lepto cases

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday warned the public of the rising cases of leptospirosis in the country, as he underscored the need to implement effective garbage collection to control rodents.

In a press briefing, Duque said they expect more individuals to contract leptospirosis because the rainy season has just started. However, he maintained this can be avoided if preventive measures will be observed.

“The fact that people are dying from leptospirosis, it’s really a cause for alarm. But what is saddening is this is a preventable disease for as long as everybody does his part,” he noted.

In Metro Manila alone, the Department of Health-National Capital Region office (DOH-NCR) had documented 234 cases from Jan. 1 to June 29, including 90 cases admitted in different health facilities last week. There were 38 deaths.

This is 60 percent higher compared to the 146 cases recorded during the same period in 2017. This is also 155 percent more than the average 92 cases documented annually.

But despite this, Duque clarified there is still “no outbreak but only clustering of cases” in some communities.

He also assured the public that the DOH is prepared to assist patients.

The agency had already downloaded some P5 million for the National Kidney and Transplant Institute which is now attending to most cases, while they have been “prepositioning medicine and other support materials” for other regions.

According to Duque, having adequate and efficient garbage disposal and collection can “certainly control rodent infestation,” thus preventing leptospirosis infection.

“I would like to appeal to our local chief executives to ensure that garbage collection is done round the clock and with sufficient regularity, making sure that there will be no garbage or trash seen along the pavement,” he added.

These garbage piles could attract rodents, the primary reservoirs of Leptospira bacteria which causes leptospirosis.

“When an infected rat urinates in floodwaters, that can contaminate the water. So when you have an open wound and you wade in floodwater, you can be infected,” he said.

He also reiterated the call for the public to avoid wading in floodwaters, which is the best way to prevent contracting leptospirosis.

“And if it cannot be avoided, one should always wear rubber boots for protection.”

Duque added at the first sign of any symptoms of leptospirosis, one must immediately see a doctor for proper treatment and care.

DOH data show from Jan. 1 to June 9, there were 1,030 cases recorded across the country. Most of these came from Region 6, followed by Caraga, Region 11 and Region 9.