With the continuous rain and flooding affecting Manila, the city government officially declared a “leptospirosis epidemic” after newly recorded cases surpassed the expected number.
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In a social media post by the Manila Public Information Office, Manila OIC-City Health Officer Dr. Grace Padilla reported that the infection rate surged to 3.48 percent, up from 1.27 percent last week.
This increase within a short period indicates that the spread of leptospirosis in the city has reached an “epidemic condition.”
Moreover, several city government district hospitals have reported that they are already at full capacity due to the rapid increase in patients. These include Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital, and Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital.
Following the report, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso urged authorities to intensify the ongoing campaign against leptospirosis.
The campaign includes a public information drive to raise residents’ awareness of the risks and symptoms of leptospirosis, as well as the distribution of free doxycycline capsules in 44 health centers and seven district hospitals.
In a separate post, the Manila PIO reported 70 new cases of leptospirosis on Tuesday, September 8. This brings the total number of cases recorded from January 1 to September 8 to 1,051.
While leptospirosis has reached epidemic levels in Manila, it ranks third among the diseases reported in the city. Influenza-like illness has a total of 1,384 reported cases, while dengue topped the list with 2,754 reported cases from January 1 to September 8.
Regardless of the numbers, here’s how you can stay informed and help protect yourself and your loved ones from leptospirosis:
What is leptospirosis?
Whenever heavy rains and flooding occur in the country, news about leptospirosis often appears on social media feeds and in the news, reminding people to stay informed and be wary of its symptoms and effects.
This is because leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Leptospira, which can be found in contaminated water and soil. Floodwaters can become contaminated when the urine of infected animals comes into contact with the water.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people can become infected when they come into contact with water or soil contaminated with urine or other body fluids from infected animals.
Even activities such as hiking, gardening, or outdoor cleaning can put you at risk of leptospirosis if the soil or water you come into contact with is contaminated with the bacteria that cause the disease.
After exposure to the bacteria that cause leptospirosis, symptoms can appear within two to 30 days.
In the first phase, infected people may experience a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, body or muscle aches, vomiting, stomach pain, chills, and diarrhea, among others.
However, some infected people may develop more serious symptoms during the second phase of the illness. These may include kidney failure, liver failure, or meningitis.
How can you protect yourself from leptospirosis?
To lower your risk of getting leptospirosis, it is important to avoid swimming in or being exposed to floodwaters or open water that may be contaminated with animal urine.
If you are outdoors and exposure to floodwaters is unavoidable, cover any cuts, scratches, or wounds with bandages, and wear waterproof protective clothing whenever possible.
However, if you have already been exposed to floodwaters, open water, or soil that may be contaminated with the bacteria, don’t panic! Whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to visit your nearest health center or hospital to consult a healthcare professional about the necessary treatment and next steps.
Doxycycline is an antibiotic that may be used to prevent or treat leptospirosis following exposure to contaminated water or soil. A healthcare professional can advise whether it is appropriate for you and how it should be taken.
Stay safe and dry, everyone!
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