Leptospirosis cases in P'sinan up 400%

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Provincial health authorities have expressed alarm over the 400 percent increase in lep­tospirosis cases mostly among farmers across the province.

Dr. Anna de Guzman, provincial health officer, told The STAR the other day that last year, there were only four leptospirosis-related deaths but this rose to 11 this year.

From January to October last year, De Guzman said there were 22 cases compared to 100 cases so far this year.

Her team recently confirmed 10 out of 16 suspected cases of farmers reportedly afflicted with leptospirosis in Rosales town, most of them suffering from renal failure.

Aside from Rosales, those with the highest number of leptospirosis cases are Dagupan City and Mangaldan and Malasiqui towns, she said.

Malasiqui Mayor Armando Domantay earlier said he has put up a special assistance desk for residents afflicted with leptospirosis for immediate financial help.

De Guzman said farmers are prone to the disease due to the presence of dagang bukid (field rats) in their farmlands. Working barefoot in rice fields exposes them to rat urine, she said.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called spirochete. It can be transmitted by many animals such as rats and through contact with contaminated soil or water.

People contract the disease by either ingesting contaminated food or water or through broken skin or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth).

De Guzman advised patients to seek early consultation after four or five days if they manifest flu-like symptoms.