Leptospirosis cases increased by 139 % in the recent weeeks due to continuous rains and floodings, the latest from the Deparment of Health (DOH) showed.
According to DOH’s latest disease surveillance report, cases of leptospirosis is increasing, with 542 cases recorded in the past three to four weeks which is way higher as compared to the two weeks prior.
“While cases in the recent 2 weeks are relatively lower, continuous monitoring must be done as cases may still increase with late reports and due to the inclement weather and recent typhoons/tropical storms that entered the country, intensified by Habagat,” it noted.
The new cases brings a total 3,325 leptospirosis cases in the country from January 1 to August 19, 2023.
The National Capital Region, the Ilocos Region, and Calabarzon demonstrated consistent growth in the recent six weeks, from July 9 to August 19.
About 101 to 441 cases were logged in the recent four weeks.
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Davao Region have all recorded 5 to 143 cases over the past four weeks.
In the last three to four weeks, more instances were reported in CAR and Regions 2, 3, 4-B, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
According to the DOH, these areas reported 5 to 143 cases in the last 4 weeks.
A total of 359 people have died from the bacterial illness this year, for a case fatality rate of 10.8%.
Experts said that leptospirosis infections would rise during the rainy season as more people would wade through floodwaters that might contain rat and animal urine contaminated with the leptospira bacterium.
Symptoms of leptospirosis could be fever and chills, head and muscle aches, red eyes, vomiting, and jaundice or yellow skin and eyes.
