DOH: Collect garbage to curb leptospirosis spread

MANILA, Philippines — With the rainy season still prevailing over the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday called on all local government units (LGUs) to collect garbage regularly to drive away rats that may carry the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. 

“We are calling on local governments to make sure that garbage are regularly and efficiently collected and not be left in the open for dogs and cats to scour or rats to urinate there,” he said in a press conference at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).

Duque warned that when there is flooding during rainy days, infected rats can contaminate floodwaters through their urine. Those who wade in the flood and may contract the disease.

Also yesterday, NKTI executive director Rose Marie Liquete said the hospital is seeing a rise in leptospirosis cases because of the heavy rains and floods in the past week.

“The incubation of leptospirosis is up to 14 days so those who got infected are now showing symptoms,” she said.

In the past week alone, the NKTI recorded 28 cases, and the patients are now in the hospital’s gym, which was converted into a ward in anticipation of the rise in leptospirosis cases.

 Of the 28 cases, 22 are on dialysis for kidney failure. Three more cases are on extracorporeal membrane oxygenerator, a technology used to manage pulmonary hemorrhage in leptospirosis.  

Since Jan. 1, the NKTI recorded 100 leptospirosis cases. Liquete said they expect to see more leptospirosis cases since the country has not passed the rainy season.

She urged the public to donate blood as they foresee an increased demand.

“Right now, majority of our patients are undergoing dialysis and they already require blood. If more leptospirosis patients come in, we will have a shortage of blood so we are appealing to the public to donate now,” she said.  

Department of Health data show that from January to July 27, there have been 916 leptospirosis cases recorded. This is lower than the 2,618 cases during the same period last year. 

The National Capital Region reported the highest number of cases at 307; followed by Western Visayas with 112; Bicol Region with 92; and Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon with 75 each.