THE Department of Health yesterday reported that there is an outbreak of leptospirosis, a usually rare bacterial infection, in three barangays in Marikina and expects an upsurge of cases of the disease in Metro Manila and the regions of Rizal and the Calabarzon following the flooding brought by tropical storm “Ondoy.”
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the infectious disease is spreading rapidly in Marikina, with Tumana, Concepcion, and Malanday as the epicenter communities.
“It’s an outbreak there because in 2008, Marikina had zero cases.We expect a lot more cases in Rizal (province) and Calabarzon,” he said, citing areas where hospital data is still coming in and where stagnating floodwaters remain in heavily populated communities.
Duque said the DoH will begin distributing free doxycycline antibiotic drugs as a prophylactic, or means of prevention in Marikina.
He noted that the disease has afflicted more people in Metro Manila in the last two weeks than it typically does in an entire year, attributing the “outbreak” to large numbers of people wading in floodwaters carrying the bacteria.
In Metro Manila alone, the DoH has recorded 1,027 leptospirosis patients, with 89 deaths, for a high 8.6 percent mortality rate.
The health chief added that one million people in the Calabarzon region are at risk of exposure to the bacteria, while 700,000 people are vulnerable in Metro Manila.
Leptospirosis is spread through animal urine mixed in with floodwater entering openings in human skin. It usually takes two weeks after infection to manifest flu-like symptoms. If not diagnosed early enough, it can lead to meningitis, liver damage and death. Nearly one in ten afflicted so far has died, an extremely high mortality rate for any disease.
Duque said the best prevention is to stay out of polluted floodwaters. However, he admitted that many people have to walk in floodwater to return to their homes or simply to get from one place to another.
Many places remain under water since typhoon “Ondoy” struck and submerged large parts of Metro Manila and outlying areas.
Showing posts with label Leptospirosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leptospirosis. Show all posts
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Safety Tips: All About Leptospirosis!
How is leptospirosis treated?
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease. Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms. Persons with symptoms suggestive of leptospirosis should contact a
health care provider.
Can leptospirosis be prevented?
The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine.
Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease. Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms. Persons with symptoms suggestive of leptospirosis should contact a
health care provider.
Can leptospirosis be prevented?
The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine.
Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Safety Tips: All About Leptospirosis!
Where is leptospirosis found?
Leptospirosis occurs worldwide but is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, for example, farmers, sewer workers, veterinarians, fish workers, dairy farmers, or military personnel. It is a recreational hazard for campers or those who participate in outdoor sports in contaminated areas and has been associated with swimming, wading, and whitewater rafting in contaminated lakes and rivers. The incidence is also increasing among urban children.
Source: Center for Disease and Control Prevention
Leptospirosis occurs worldwide but is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, for example, farmers, sewer workers, veterinarians, fish workers, dairy farmers, or military personnel. It is a recreational hazard for campers or those who participate in outdoor sports in contaminated areas and has been associated with swimming, wading, and whitewater rafting in contaminated lakes and rivers. The incidence is also increasing among urban children.
Source: Center for Disease and Control Prevention
Monday, October 19, 2009
Safety Tips: All About Leptospirosis!
How long is it between the time of exposure and when people become sick?
The time between a person's exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases; after the first phase, with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, the patient may recover for a time but become ill again. If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis. This phase is also called Weil's disease.
The illness lasts from a few days to 3 weeks or longer. Without treatment, recovery may take several months.
Source: Center for Disease and Control Prevention
The time between a person's exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases; after the first phase, with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, the patient may recover for a time but become ill again. If a second phase occurs, it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure or meningitis. This phase is also called Weil's disease.
The illness lasts from a few days to 3 weeks or longer. Without treatment, recovery may take several months.
Source: Center for Disease and Control Prevention
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Safety Tips: All About Leptospirosis!
How do people get leptospirosis?
Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Many different kinds of animals carry the bacterium; they may become sick but sometimes have no symptoms. Leptospira organisms have been found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especially with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.
P.S. It is in the news today about a number of patients brought to the hospital and found to be positive with the above disease.
Be aware and be safe.
Source: Center for Disease and Control Prevention
Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals. Many different kinds of animals carry the bacterium; they may become sick but sometimes have no symptoms. Leptospira organisms have been found in cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especially with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.
P.S. It is in the news today about a number of patients brought to the hospital and found to be positive with the above disease.
Be aware and be safe.
Source: Center for Disease and Control Prevention
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