DOH expects rise in leptospirosis cases in coming weeks amid flooding

MANILA — Amid floods brought by heavy rains due to typhoon Carina, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is already expecting a rise in leptospirosis cases in the coming weeks.

• Patrol ng Pilipino: Paano maiiwasan ang leptospirosis? 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday appealed anew to the public to avoid wading in flood water. 

"Ang tubig baha ay madumi. Hindi dapat mag-swimming... Ang tubig baha ay hindi swimming pool. Pagbawalan natin ang mga batang maglaro [sa tubig baha]," he said in a press conference.

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Leptospirosis is caused by the bacterium leptospira, which is brought by some mammals, commonly, rats. This can enter a person's body through wounds--and through the eyes, mouth, or nose. 

Herbosa explained the disease has an incubation period of 5 to 14 days. 

"Hindi nakakahawa ang isang taong may lepto[spirosis], pero nakukuha niya ang sakit dahil iyong bacteria nabubuhay sa daga. So iyong daga pag umihi o dumumi, iyong floodwaters na merong ihi ng daga o dumi ng daga, may live na bacteria iyon," he said. 

"Ang titirahin nitong mikrobyo ay iyong atay - kaya naninilaw - at iyong kidneys - kaya nagre-renal failure... Hindi lang sa baha nakukuha ang leptospirosis, suprisingly. Meron din kaming cases, sa putik lang. Nakatsinelas, lumusong sa putik or maputik, napisikan lang, nagkaka-lepto[spirosis] din," he added.

• DOH sounds alarm over increasing leptospirosis cases 

Herbosa said taking prescriptive antibiotic for leptospirosis, usually Doxycycline, is a way to prevent the disease. 

But more effective preventive measures include avoiding wading in floodwaters and keeping one's surroundings clean. 

"Itong leptospirosis ay dahil sa dami ng basura... Pag dumami iyong basura, dumadami iyong rodent population or dumadami iyong daga kasi may nakakain sila, so multiply sila nang multiply. So very important: sanitation, garbage disposal, environmental protection, lalo na iyong tag-ulan," Herbosa shared. 

The DOH also asked the public to be mindful of storing water - to prevent dengue - and of electrical wires, especially of live wires - to prevent electrocution. 

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