DOH warns of uptick in leptospirosis cases
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting to see a surge in leptospirosis cases following the floods brought by Tropical Storm Pepito and Typhoon Quinta.
In a press briefing yesterday, DOH Knowledge Management and Information Technology Services director Eric Tayag said that from January to August, the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau recorded more than 500 cases, most of them from Cagayan Valley, Davao Region and Western Visayas.
“The figure does not include data during the rainy months so we expect the data to increase. Of these cases, more than 50 have died,” he added.
Tayag warned that leptospirosis – a bacterial disease acquired through exposure to water, mud or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rats – should not be ignored because it can be fatal when the bacteria starts attacking vital organs.
He urged local government units to ensure the proper disposal and collection of waste in their communities as garbage heaps become breeding sites for rats.
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