Leptospirosis deaths rising

The East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City has recorded 10 persons died due to leptospirosis from June 1 to July 1.

Data from EAMC showed that out of 51 individuals afflicted with leptospirosis, 10 had succumbed to the dreadful disease.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque II yesterday toured the entire fifth level of the hospital after it was converted into a ward for patients following a spike in the number of leptospirosis cases.

Last week, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute also converted its basketball court to accommodate patients with the disease.

Duque said floods caused by uncollected trash clogging drains, and a greater number of nests for leptospira carriers may have contributed to the increased leptospirosis cases.

As part of the Department of Health’s intensified monitoring and management of leptospirosis cases, Duque asked local government units to conduct rodent control, improve flood control, drain potentially contaminated water and enforce garbage collection.

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by corkscrew-shaped bacteria called leptospira. People contract leptospirosis when water contaminated with the urine of an infected animal, most commonly rats, enters through cuts on the skin or the eyes, nose and mouth.

Among the signs and symptoms of the disease are headache, muscle pain, fever and meningitis.

Duque reminded the public to go to the nearest health center and get treatment the minute they suspect that they have leptospirosis to avoid complications.