Despite a frightening increase in the number of leptospirosis cases all over the country, the City of Manila has recorded an “astounding” 64-percent drop in the number of residents infected by the deadly waterborne disease this year, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said on Sunday.
From January to September, only 24 leptospirosis cases were recorded in the city, compared to 66 during the same period in 2016, Estrada said, citing a report submitted by the Manila Health Department.
“This is a significant development in our continuing program to eradicate infectious diseases that threaten the health of our constituents,” Estrada said.
He attributed the significant drop to the regular cleanup being done in the barangays, which helped eliminate potential breeding grounds of disease-carrying rodents and mosquitoes.
Also, under Estrada’s order, the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works has been conducting extensive drainage repairs and declogging operations to lessen flooding in the city.
“With everybody involved, we can effectively address this threat of leptospirosis in our city,” he pointed out.
Six persons died among the 66 cases from January to September 2016, compared to just four this year from the 24 confirmed leptospirosis infections, according to MHD chief Dr. Benjamin Yson.
“We have 64 percent drop this year, and this is quite surprising because reports from DOH (Department of Health) showed the number of leptospirosis cases in the country has increased by a staggering 71 percent,” Yson said. “So, we are not worried at all here in Manila.”
Yson said the MHD, through its 59 community health centers, has been conducting information campaigns on infectious diseases such as leptospirosis, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis, among others. This is on top of the regular community cleanup being led by the barangay officials, he added.
“What we’ve been advising is that when a fever lasts for more than three days, go to the doctor,” Yson said.
Yson said leptospirosis easily spreads during rainy season because of the prevalence of floods. If people cannot avoid wading in potentially contaminated floodwaters, they should immediately wash up with soap and clean water, or better yet use personal protection equipment like rain boots, he said.
Leptospirosis is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which enters the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes when a person wades into floodwaters mixed with garbage, or moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats, explained Yson.
DOH spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag earlier reported that cases of leptospirosis nationwide rose by 71.1 percent, reaching 910 from January 1 to August 5 this year compared to 532 cases in the same period last year.
Of the 910 suspected cases, 96 resulted in death, compared to 50 in the same period in 2016. Majority of the cases were recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR), with 172; followed by the Davao region with 112; Western Visayas with 98; Central Luzon with 80; and the Ilocos region with 70.
In terms of deaths, NCR recorded 22, Ilocos followed with 13; Calabarzon with 11; Eastern Visayas with 10; and Western Visayas with 9. Most of the patients were 35 years and older.
