Leptospirosis deaths hit 104

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday reported 15 more leptospirosis deaths in Metro Manila, bringing to 104 the total number of deaths from the flood-borne infection.

Data from the DOH-National Epidemiology Center (NEC) also showed that the number of leptospirosis admissions in government and private hospitals in Metro Manila has soared by over 600 in just two days.

Based on NEC data collected from 15 government and private hospitals, the number of leptospirosis admissions increased from 1,027 last Oct. 15 to 1,665 as of Oct. 17. 

In a span of just six days, DOH said cases of leptospirosis increased almost ten-fold from 177 last Oct. 12.

The death toll also went up from 89 to 104 in a span of two days.

Among government-operated hospitals, San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) recorded the highest number of leptospirosis cases with 529, including 32 deaths, followed by Quirino Medical Center with 234, East Avenue Medical Center 221 and National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) with 111.

Among private hospitals, Medical City reported the highest number of leptospirosis admissions at 172, including five deaths.

Earlier, DOH noted that cases of leptospirosis dramatically shot up in the National Capital Region (NCR) with the recorded figure in October already exceeding the 812 nationwide admissions in government hospitals for the whole of last year.

DOH has also declared an outbreak of leptospirosis in three Marikina barangays – Tumana, Concepcion and Malanday.

Based on DOH estimates, 1.7 million people in Metro Manila and CALABARZON are at risk of acquiring the disease because many areas in the two regions remain submerged.

Of the 1.7 million at risk of suffering from leptospirosis, about 3,800 are likely to manifest symptoms of the potentially fatal infection.

To protect the more than a million people currently exposed to leptospirosis, the DOH has embarked on a massive preventive treatment and awareness campaign.

Medical experts, however, clarified that the prophylaxis would only protect the people for a week, thus they are encouraged to avoid wading in the floods, especially if they have open wounds or any breaks in the skin.

Meanwhile, in Bulacan, cases of leptospirosis continued to rise with 22 confirmed cases and three deaths.

Dr. Joycelyn Gomez, head of the public health division of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), said that all confirmed cases in the province were reported by public hospitals.

Leptospirosis cases have been reported in the towns of Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, San Rafael, Baliuag, Bustos, Sta. Maria, and Plaridel; and the cities of Malolos and Meycauayan.

Gomez said the number of cases might continue to rise due to continued flooding in some areas in the province.   – With Dino Balabo, Pete Laude