Leptospirosis deaths reach 57 - DOH

MANILA, Philippines - Data from the Department of Health (DOH) show that the death toll from leptospirosis has reached 57 from Sept. 29 to Oct. 11.

Three more fatalities from the disease were reported yesterday – two in Rizal province and one in Bulacan.

Rodriguez, Rizal acting Mayor Jonas Cruz said a 28-year-old male from Barangay Balite and an adult female from Dela Costa 5, Barangay Burgos in Rodriguez reportedly died of the disease.

Cruz and the provincial health office immediately sent a medical team to these barangays to investigate the deaths.

In Bulacan, a 21-year-old man who rescued his neighbors at the height of tropical storm “Ondoy” became the province’s first fatality from leptospirosis.

Rizal, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig and Mandaluyong were the most heavily-flooded when Ondoy struck the country last month.

Health officials said more than 700 cases of leptospirosis have been reported in four government hospitals.

As of last week, there were 134 suspected cases at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila while East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City reported 96 cases.

The Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC), also in Quezon City, recorded more than 400 cases while 70 patients were confined at the Philippine General Hospital after they showed symptoms of the disease.

Most of the patients in the four government hospitals are from various parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to the urine of rats and other animals in floodwaters.

The incubation period before the appearance of symptoms has been observed to be as short as two days after exposure or as long as 21 days. – With Arnell Ozaeta, Dino Balabo