ILOILO City – Western Visayas logged 40 deaths due to leptospirosis as cases increased mainly due to the incessant rains that caused flooding, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
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.
Bacolod City and Negros Occidental recorded the highest number of mortalities at 12 and 11, respectively, from Jan. 1 to Aug. 26, 2023, data from the DOH-6 showed.
Iloilo province had seven deaths; Capiz, five; Aklan, three; Antique, one; and Iloilo City, one.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, chief of DOH-6’s Infectious Disease Section, said the region listed 419 cases of leptospirosis this year – 63 percent higher than the 309 cases with 52 deaths recorded in the same period last year.
Here is the breakdown of the 419 cases:
* Aklan – 10 cases
* Antique – 22 cases
* Capiz – 37 cases
* Guimaras – seven cases
* Iloilo Province – 152 cases
* Iloilo City – 26 cases
* Negros Occidental – 99 cases
* Bacolod City – 66 cases
The cases and deaths in 2022:
* Aklan – 14 cases with five deaths
* Antique – 38 cases with seven deaths
* Capiz – 19 cases with two deaths
* Guimaras – 14 cases
* Iloilo Province – 56 cases with eight deaths
* Iloilo City – five cases with one death
* Negros Occidental – 133 cases with 24 deaths
* Bacolod City – 27 cases with five deaths
* Others – two cases
Why is there an increase?
Natalaray said the onset of heavy rains, which caused flooding, contributed to the increase in leptospirosis cases.
“Ang flooding sa aton nga mga talamnan, especially subong nga may ara sang mga typhoon,” Natalaray said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo.
She said residents wading in floodwaters have a higher risk of contracting leptospirosis.
DOH-6 data further showed that most cases were farmers, laborers and construction workers who, based on the nature of their work, are exposed to unclean water.
“Kon indi mapaiway nga maglusong sa baha, magkadto sa malapit nga health centers para makapangayo sang prophylaxis,” Natalaray added.
DOH-6 also advised people to use boots and wash the whole body after swimming in water to avoid being infected with the bacterial disease.
The DOH-6 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units continue to monitor local government units affected by flooding to immediately augment the supply of prophylaxis.
Leptospirosis symptoms, in its early stages, 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./PN
