The Department of Health once again reminded the public to be wary of leptospirosis amid the flooding in some parts of the country due to tropical storm Florita.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that cases of leptospirosis may increase during the rainy season.
"Magpapaalala lang tayo sa ating mga kababayan, bumabagyo at umuulan, please mag ingat sa pag wade o kaya paglusong sa baha. Kailangan mag bota kung kinakailangan (We are just reminding our citizens to be careful in wading in floodwater amid the rains. Wearing boots is really necessary)," she said in a press briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
"Kung may mga sugat kayo sa paa, iwasan muna lumusong sa tubig baha (If you have wounds in your feet, avoid wading in floodwater)," she added.
On Tuesday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. suspended classes in public schools and work in government offices in Metro Manila, Cavite, Lagina, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan until Wednesday, Aug. 24 because of heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Florita.
There were a total of 1,411 leptospirosis cases reported from Jan. 1 to Aug. 6, as shown in the latest data of the DOH.
This is 22 percent higher compared to the 1,157 leptospirosis cases logged during the same period in 2021.
The data also showed 188 deaths due to leptospirosis as of Aug. 6, which is slightly higher than the 118 deaths recorded during the same period last year.
Leptospirosis is “a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira spirochetes bacteria that is spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rats. Its modes of transmission include wading in contaminated floodwaters, ingesting contaminated food or water," the DOH said.
"Symptoms of the disease include high fever, muscle pain, eye redness, chills, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, or yellowish skin discoloration," it added.