The increase in leptospirosis cases due to a series of recent typhoons could become a medical crisis if Filipinos are not vigilant about their symptoms, Department of Health Director IV Eric Tayag said Monday.
The gym of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute was nearing full capacity due to the cases of leptospirosis, reports said.
The NKTI has so far recorded 77 leptospirosis cases.
The hospital is also grappling with a lack of manpower after several nurses resigned.
“Maaring maging medical crisis. ‘Wag naman sana,” Tayag said.
“Pakiramdaman mo ‘yung mga sintomas, baka akala mo COVID-19 ‘yan, may lagnat, paninilaw ng balat, pamumula ng matang walang pagmumuta, at kung masakit ang ulo mo, sumasakit ‘yung mga muscles mo, magsusupetsa ka kaagad para kung sa gano’n, maaga pa mabigyan ka na ng oral antibiotics at hindi na mauwi sa komplikasyon.”
NKTI chief Rose Marie Liquete expressed concern over the shortage of manpower.
“You cannot give good service if you are in a shortage of manpower,” Liquete said.
The Health department said leptospirosis cases would likely peak in the middle of December since the symptoms took two to 28 days to show.
The department advised those who could not avoid stepping into mud or floodwaters to undergo prophylaxis for the illness, but warned that falling ill with leptospirosis was still possible.