DOH: Lepto cases rise further

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a further increase in leptospirosis cases, with the elderly accounting for the majority of patients.

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said latest data available showed there were 523 new leptospirosis cases recorded from Aug. 8 to 13.

“Out of the 523 cases, 81 percent comprised of the elderly – that is 423 cases – while 19 percent or 100 cases involved children,” Domingo said during an interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program yesterday.

Of these cases, eight are on mechanical ventilator – used to assist in their breathing – while 243 are recommended for or are now undergoing dialysis, he added.

Domingo noted that the latest leptospirosis cases are based on operational data and are not yet added to the epidemiologic tally.

“There were also 43 deaths listed during this six-day period. Forty one involved the elderly while two are children,” he said, adding that this “is the time that the number of leptospirosis patients at the National Kidney Institute, San Lazaro Hospital and other (health) facilities have been increasing.”

The DOH earlier released an advisory that other hospitals are equally capable of treating leptospirosis patients.

“It is better to check hospitals with available beds for leptospirosis through landline number 8531-0037 or cell number 0920-283-2758. We can get their information as to what facilities have vacant beds. This is patient navigation wherein they are referred to the appropriate hospital (with) available beds, instead of (have them) lining up,” Domingo explained.    

The DOH activated its surge capacity plan following the increase in leptospirosis cases in the country.

“When you say surge capacity plan, it means if a hospital has 100 beds and only 10 beds are allocated for leptospirosis, more beds will be added making it 20 or 30 for the use of leptospirosis patients,” Domingo said.

Earlier, the DOH epidemiologic data showed the country has recorded a total of 2,115 leptospirosis cases this year. It attributed the surge in cases to the floods caused by Typhoon Carina.