The Department of Health – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) reminded the public to avoid wading in flood waters due to the spike in leptospirosis cases following the onslaught of Typhoon Carina as well as daily rains in the region due to La Niña.
DOH-CAR Information Officer Geeny Anne Austria said there is a total of 73 leptospirosis cases of which five deaths have been reported in the Cordillera from January 1 to August 10, 2024.
Apayao logged the highest case of leptospirosis at 27, followed by Benguet with 14, Baguio City with 12, Kalinga with nine, Ifugao with five, Mountain Province with four while Abra has two cases.
Of the five deaths this year, two are from Apayao and one each from Baguio City, Benguet and Ifugao..
Austria said that while cases are lower this year compared to the 12 cases and 10 deaths covering the same period last year, the threat of acquiring the bacteria is high with the onset of the rainy season.
“We advise the public to seek immediate consultation once they are exposed to flood waters so that they will be given post-exposure prophylaxis and avoid the bacteria from advancing,” Austria said.
She explained that leptospirosis bacteria may be acquired not only from infected urine of rats but also from any infected four legged animal.
Leptospirosis signs and symptoms include high fever, severe headache, non-specific symptoms of muscle pain, calf-muscle pain and reddish eyes in some cases.
Severe cases may result in liver involvement, kidney failure, brain involvement thus, some cases may have yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine and light stools, low urine output and severe headache.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier reminded the public to keep their surroundings clean and ensure adherence to sanitation standards with the increasing cases of leptospirosis.** JM Samidan
