HEALTH authorities have declared 10 more barangays in Metro Manila’s at least 1,706 barangays have been afflicted with leptospirosis attack, raising the number of affected villages to 28.
Leptospirosis, according to medical experts, is an infectious disease caused by a particular type of bacteria called a spirochete transmitted by rats as well as by skunks, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and other vermin.
It occurs worldwide but is most commonly acquired in the tropics.
Symptoms begin from two to 25 days after initial direct exposure to the urine or tissue of an infected animal. This can even occur via contaminated soil or water.
“The number of affected barangays has increased from 18 from the last time I spoke to 28 now. There are an additional 10 [villages] and one additional city,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque told dzMM radio heard nationwide.
Caloocan was added to the list of affected cities, as two of its barangays have recorded cases of the animal-borne disease.
In a related development:
• A waste and pollution watch group urged local leaders to ensure proper management of discards to control rat infestation.
The EcoWaste Coalition, in a press statement, pressed for the strict observance of ecological waste management after Duque last July 5 declared outbreaks of the dreaded Leptospirosis in certain barangays in Malabon, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Quezon and Taguig cities.
The group specifically asked newly-installed barangay officials to enforce waste prevention and reduction measures to avoid garbage from piling up, as well as to avert flooding caused by trash-choked waterways.
“Poor waste management attracts rodent infestation and increases the risk of human exposure to the Leptospirosis-causing bacteria transmitted through rat urine,” said Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste Campaigner for EcoWaste Coalition.
“Rats thrive in filthy surroundings such as garbage dumps where they go to find food, rest and hide,” he added in a statement.
“Improper trash disposal can also obstruct canals and rivers causing flooding, which forces rats to flee floods and seek shelter on higher ground. This makes wading and swimming in flooded areas very dangerous as floodwaters may be contaminated with Leptospira bacteria from infected rats,” he said.
“It is imperative for our barangays to help in enforcing Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which aims to protect public health and the environment from mismanaged discards,” he emphasized.
Among other things, R.A. 9003 requires the country’s over 42,000 barangays to develop an ecological solid waste management program, promote waste segregation, implement a segregated collection for biodegradable and non-biodegradable discards, and set up Materials Recovery Facilities in every barangay or cluster of barangays.
“Ecological solid waste management can help not only in preventing leptospirosis, but also in preventing cholera, dengue, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever and other common diseases during the rainy season,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization, “Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans through cuts and abrasions of the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth with water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.”
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 barangays), Taguig (16 cases in 4 barangays), Parañaque (6 in 2 barangays) 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 might 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 were 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 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 are well cooked and stored.