Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday declared outbreaks in 18 barangays in seven cities in Metro Manila due to the rising number of leptospirosis cases during the last two weeks.
The outbreak of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by contact with rodent urine, was declared in the following areas:
Quezon City – Brgy. Bagbag (3 cases), Brgy. Silangan (5), Brgy. Batasan Hills (9), Brgy. Commonwealth (7), Brgy. Novaliches Proper (4), Brgy. Payatas (5), Brgy. Pinyahan (3), Brgy. Vasra (4);
Taguig City – Brgy. Lower Bicutan (5), Brgy. Maharlika Village (3), Brgy. Signal Village (4), Brgy. Western Bicutan (4);
Pasig City – Brgy. Pinagbuhatan (4);
Parañaque City – Brgy. BF Homes (3), Brgy. San Dionisio (3);
Navotas City – Brgy. North Bay Blvd. South (3);
Mandaluyong City – Brgy. Addition Hills (3);
Malabon City – Brgy. Concepcion (3)
From Jan. 1 to July 3, 2018, Duque said a total of 368 leptospirosis cases, with 52 deaths, were reported from Metro Manila. He noted that a sudden increase in the number of cases was observed from June 10 to July 3.
“This is 38 percent higher compared to the average number of cases reported in the previous five years,” Duque said.
Reported cases clustered and exceeded the epidemic threshold in the following cities from June 10 to July 3 of this year:
Quezon City (40 cases in 9 barangay), Taguig (16 cases in 4 barangay), Parañaque (6 in 2 barangay) and Pasig (4 in 1 barangay).
The following cities are advised to be on alert as cases are noted to cluster and risk of increase is high: Navotas (3 in 1 barangay), Mandaluyong (3 in 1 barangay) and Malabon (3 in 1 barangay).
Duque warned that if left untreated, Leptospirosis may cause kidney failure, brain damage, massive internal bleeding, and death.
Cases usually present with flu-like symptoms, followed by leg pain. Severe cases may experience yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin and tea-colored urine.
“We advise those who have flu-like symptoms now and who had previously waded in floodwaters to seek immediate medical treatment in the nearest health facility,” urged Duque.
“Patients with Leptospirosis-like symptoms should be brought immediately to the nearest health care facility for proper diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
Duque has also alerted the hospitals in the region to be prepared to admit and manage cases and refer them to specialty hospitals if needed. Detection and reporting of cases were enhanced in health centers and hospitals.
Additional medical personnel was deployed to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute along with drugs and medicines needed for treatment of cases.
Leptospirosis can be acquired by exposure to flood water, mud or food contaminated by the urine of infected animals such as rats, pigs, dogs, cattle, and goats.
The DoH advises the public to avoid wading and walking in flooded and muddy areas and ensure that food is well cooked and stored.