Three leptospirosis cases recorded here

CEBU, Philippines - Three persons in Cebu City were found to be afflicted with leptospirosis last month and that City Health officials are worried the statistics may go up because of the rainy days. 

Durinda Macasocol, assistant chief of the City Health’s Statistics and Surveillance Unit, said that a 58-year-old farmer from barangay Sudlon was found afflicted with leptospiros is on September 8; a 25-year-old man from Lahug on September 15; and a 37-year-old man from Alaska, Mambaling on September 24.

The City Health personnel are still collating the records of leptospirosis cases from the different government and private hospitals in the city for this month.

In Metro Manila where flooding was experienced in many areas, the Health officials have already monitored close to 400 leptospirosis cases, almost half of the 769 total cases last year.

Leptospirosis is caused by the swallowing of the bacteria directly from contaminated water, absorbing it through cuts in the skin, or through food. Infected wild and domestic animals such as rats, carabao, and cattle pass leptospirosis-causing bacteria in their urine. Macasocol said people afflicted with leptospirosis may experience flu-like symptoms, fever, red skin rash, red eyes and general weakness, headache, joint pains and fatigue and that the patient may die if not treated immediately.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III advised anyone who had a history of wading in the recent floods and who has the symptoms of the disease to consult their doctors or seek immediate treatment at government health facilities. 

Here in the city, 11 persons were recorded in 2006 to have died from the complications brought about by leptospirosis to the vital organs of the body, most especially the kidneys and then the brain. That is why Health officials have continually warned the public never to swim or wade, or allow children to play in stagnant water, as everybody is susceptible to the contamination.

Medical experts said that the bacteria can live for a long time in fresh water, damp soil, vegetation and mud. Flooding after heavy rainfall helps spread the bacteria in the environment. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)