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MANILA - The Department of Health on Wednesday warned the public about leptospirosis, a potentially fatal disease that one could get by wading in floodwater.

"As of now, we've had 981 cases already. Mataas mortality rate ng lepto, 12 to 13 percent. So I think we've had about 112 deaths already this year," said Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo.

• Gym ng NKTI binuksan dahil sa pagdami ng leptospirosis patients

On ANC's Headstart, Domingo said leptospirosis, transmitted through spread of rat urine, could be fatal but preventable.

"Flood water is laden with the lepstospira bacteria. When you're exposed to that you always have this possibility of getting this potentially fatal na sakit na kaya naman nating i-prevent," Domingo said.

He clarified that the bacteria doesn't only enter the body through an open wound.

"There are parts of our body that are sensitive kahit walang sugat. Yung eye natin or our private part. Kahit walang sugat, ang bacteria pwedeng makapasok 'yan sa katawan and it can multiply and give you leptospirosis," he said.

"You have that possibility of getting leptospirosis. Take prophylaxis within 24 to 48 hours," he said.

The DOH said it was beefing up antibiotic distribution to minimize cases of leptospirosis.