Leptospirosis
SINCE January 1, 2023, a dreaded disease in the Philippines, a favorite “sparring partner” of typhoons, storms and floods, has claimed the lives of 233 Filipinos.
Actually, the deadly disease – leptospirosis – is common during the rainy season, when low-lying communities across the country go under water after a heavy rainfall.
From January 1 to July 22, the country logged 2,168 leptospirosis cases, a 52% increase from the 1,423 cases during the same period in 2022, according to reports.
During the same seven-month period in 2022 , the disease, which is caused by leptospira spirochetes, claimed the lives of 1,423 Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The health department said the ailment is a zoonic infection, primarily an illness of domesticated and wild animals. It usually occurs in urban centers teeming with rats.
The infection is acquired through the infected urine or feces of animals, such as rats, that contaminate food, water and soil.
To avoid contracting the dreaded disease, people are warned against swimming, bathing or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine or feces.
After wading through floodwaters, always wash your hands and feet with soap because leptospira bacteria are quickly killed by soap, detergents, disinfectants and drying.
And if you have symptoms of leptospirosis, see a medical doctor as soon as possible. Early treatment with anti-biotics may help prevent more severe illness.
Thus, conerned government authorities would do well to launch a nationwide information disseminmation campaign on how to avoid contracting leptospirosis.
Lalona’t nandiyan pa rin ang pag-ulan-ulan sa iba-ibang parte ng ating bansa.
