Leptospirosis cases increasing in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  With the onset of the rainy season, the Cebu Provincial Health Office has noted an increase in leptospirosis cases in province.

Based on the weekly report of PHO's Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), eight cases were recorded in August, bringing the total number of cases to 37 from January to August.

Analyn Empic, a nurse at PESU, said the number of cases over eight months this year is almost equal to the 38 cases for the entire preceding year.

PESU data also reveal that the youngest leptospirosis victim this year is a baby, below one year old, while the oldest is 55. There were no fatalities recorded; however, males were the usual victims, the most recent of them was a 23-year-old male.

Empic surmised that the floods experienced in recent weeks in various parts of the province may have contributed to the increased number of leptospirosis cases. "Labaw pa ang (datos) karon kay basin tungod sa mga baha-baha, mosaka ang atong kaso karon nga year," she said.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria leptospira.

A person can get infected with this illness after exposure to water or soil, contaminated by pee from dogs and rodents, through abrasions or cuts in the skin, or through the eyes, mouth, and nose.

"Mag careful ta nga ma-expose ta kanang naa tay samad sa tiil, ma exposed ta og dirty water, labi na nga wala ta kabalo kanang mga kanal og magbaha, masagol ang tubig sa kanal asa na’y ihi sa baha" said the PESU nurse.

She advised the public to avoid getting into floodwaters or, if unavoidable, to take a bath afterwards to minimize the risk of infection.

Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, red eyes, abdominal pain, headache or muscle pain, chills, rash, nausea, and diarrhea.

Those who have these symptoms after being exposed to contaminated water must seek medical attention immediately, said Empic. (CEBU NEWS)