Leptospirosis cases going down, says DOH

MANILA, Philippines - Leptospirosis cases continue to go down but the Department of Health (DOH) reiterated yesterday that the public should not let its guard down against the flood-borne disease.

In a report, the DOH said that from Oct. 23 to 26, a total of 69 more cases of leptospirosis were brought to 15 sentinel hospitals, bringing the number of cases to 2,158. The death toll was pegged at 167.

This means that for the past three days, some 23 new cases were reported daily and this is significantly lower than the 43 cases on Oct. 22 and the 83 cases on Oct. 21.

But the DOH urged the public not to be complacent against leptospirosis especially since more typhoons are expected to hit the country.

The DOH said the public should avoid wading in floodwaters but if this could not be helped, protective gear like boots must always be worn.

Caused by leptospia bacteria, leptospirosis is acquired by wading in floodwaters contaminated by the urine of animals, particularly rats. It could be fatal when vital organs like the kidney, liver and brain are damaged.

Dr. Anthony San Juan, an epidemiologist at the DOH-National Capital Region, clarified yesterday that doxicycline is not being used as anti-retroviral drug for leptospirosis.

San Juan added that anti-retroviral drugs are being used among people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and not with leptospirosis.

Doxicycline, a type of prophylaxis drug, is being used as an antibiotic treatment for people who contracted leptospirosis and those who have been exposed to the illness.

The DOH is distributing doxicycline to residents - except for pregnant and nursing women and children below eight years old - in areas affected by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng” who have waded through floodwaters and to health personnel and social workers involved in medical and relief operations.

This scheme is seen as contributory to cases.

Meanwhile, in La Union, six persons died and 36 more were confined in different hospitals after contracting leptospirosis.

Dr. Hector Beñas of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) disclosed that most of the affected were from the town of Bauang, parts of which are still submerged.

Reports of patients’ deaths also came from the towns of Balaoan, Naguilian and San Fernando City, with one casualty each.

Residents from the towns of Aringay, San Juan, Naguilian, Sto. Tomas, Burgos, Caba, Sudipen, Rosario and San Fernando also sought treatment for leptospirosis.

“Human and vermin wastes were confined in a smaller place, so in the process, they easily get to humans with lower body resistance,” Beñas explained.

As a preventive and medical assistance, Beñas said the provincial government under Gov. Manuel Ortega distributed antibiotics such as doxicycline and tetracycline to fight off the flood-borne infection. Meanwhile, the DOH regional office confirmed that the death toll from leptospirosis in the region reached 14 and cases have increased to 116 as of Oct. 26. - With Jun Elias