ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) cautioned residents, especially farmers, against leptospirosis.
From Jan. 1 to March 11, the province recorded 79 cases with two deaths – 690 percent more than the 10 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. One becomes infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. Bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
“Leptospirosis cases are on the rise. Watch out, farmers, because most of these cases have exposure to farming,” said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head.
Here is the breakdown of cases per town: Cabatuan (10); Pototan (10); Barotac Nuevo (nine); Anilao (five); Dingle (five); Santa Barbara (three); Mina (three); Badiangan (three cases with one death); Carles (three cases with one death); Dumangas (three); Oton (three); San Enrique (two); Miag-ao (two); Maasin (two); Balasan (two); and Dueñas, Leon, San Miguel, Alimodian, New Lucena, Tigbauan, Barotac Viejo, Banate, Calinog, Tubungan, Batad, Zarraga, Estancia, and Lemery (one case each).
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes.
Of Iloilo’s 43 towns, including Passi City, 14 have no cases and these are Ajuy, Bingawan, Concepcion, Guimbal, Igbaras, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leganes, Passi City, Pavia, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, San Rafael, and Sara.
Colmenares-Quiñon reminds everyone, especially farmers, that if they wade in fields or flood waters, go to the nearest Rural Health Unit (RHU) to be given prophylaxis.
“Kon mag-ubog sa talamnan kag tubig-baha, magpa-konsulta dayon sa aton sentro para mahatagan sang bulong,” she said.
Use boots and wash your whole body after swimming in water to avoid being infected with leptospirosis, the IPHO head added./PN
