MANILA, Philippines — The country recorded 845 additional cases of leptospirosis over the past two weeks following incessant rains across several areas brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat and tropical cyclones.
In its recent report released on Monday, August 24, the Department of Health (DOH) said there were 4,285 leptospirosis patients as of August 22.
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This is around 25% more than the earlier record of 3,440 cases from January 4 to August 8.
According to the health department, most of the cases were recorded in the National Capital Region, Region 2 or Cagayan Valley, and Region 3 or Central Luzon.
Lepto surge
The surge in leptospirosis cases came after tropical cyclones Maymay, Neneng and Luis, as well as the enhanced habagat, swamped several low-lying areas like Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga since the first week of August.
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria, which are contracted by humans through exposure to contaminated floodwaters and mud, or by eating and drinking contaminated food and water.
The bacteria may enter through wounds, broken skin, the mouth, nose, and eyes.
Among its symptoms are high fever and chills, severe headache, muscle aches, especially in the calves and lower back, and red eyes, which may become apparent within two days to four weeks after exposure.
Full bed capacities
This week, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute earlier limited walk-in admissions as it reached full bed capacity.
San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, meanwhile, is operating at 300% to 500% of its emergency room capacity, its medical center chief, David Suplico, told GMA News on Monday.
As of Tuesday morning, NKTI Renal Services Manager Arlene Lamban said 48 patients were currently admitted to their facilities, most of whom, or 45, were mild to severe cases currently undergoing dialysis.
Untreated leptospirosis cases may lead to organ failure and typically affect the liver and kidneys.
“Karamihan ho, itong distribution ng lepto is nandito sa Metro Manila and majority of those in Metro Manila is nasa Quezon City po,” Lamban said, referring to where most of the NKTI’s patients are from.
(Most of the leptospirosis cases are in Metro Manila, and the majority of those in Metro Manila are in Quezon City.)
Rise expected
The health department said cases are expected to rise further in the coming days given that leptospirosis has an incubation period of five to 15 days.
The agency said there are 33 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila, Regions 1, 2, and 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) that have already deactivated their fast lane or express lane for immediate response to leptospirosis.
“Tinitiyak din, sa pamamagitan ng surge capacity management, na sapat ang mga kama o bed capacity at gamot para sa mga pasyenteng kailangang i-admit,” DOH said.
(We are ensuring, through surge capacity management, that the beds and medicines for the patients who need to be admitted are enough.)
The health agency also advised the public to seek consultation within 24 to 48 hours after exposure to floods, whether symptoms appear or not.