Farmers susceptible to leptospirosis, says DOH exec
Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Glen Alonsabe urged the farmers to wash their feet after they have toiled their rice paddies since they are susceptible to leptospirosis. They are considered as “high risk” individuals to catch the disease.
Alonsabe said the water on the rice land might be contaminated with the urine of rats which is the carrier of the leptospirosis virus. It is must for them to wash their feet especially if they have wounds, said Alonsabe.
A person with leptospirosis may suffer from fever and muscle aches. They have similar symptoms with dengue, except that the muscle aches especially on knee joints are much painful, said Alonsabe.
The disease is also visible in urban areas because of the environmental problem caused by indiscriminate throwing of garbage. The rats hide on the piles of garbage which are then carried by flood waters, said Alonsabe.
In Iloilo City, barangays near the Dungon Creek are vulnerable to catch the disease because of their exposure to water contaminated with urine of infected animals such as rats, pigs and cattles. The humans are the end host of the disease, said Alonsabe.
Alonsabe added residents must wear boots to protect themselves from immersing in the flood waters. Parents must also warn their children from swimming in the flood waters.
As to date, there are less than 10 cases of suspected leptospirosis here with no recorded deaths. The City Health Office (CHO) has already been alerted of the disease which usually thrives after the flood.
Alonsabe recounted that after the Typhoon Frank, the CHO has initiated a “preemptive measure.” They have administered “prophylaxis treatment” to those flood victims who have wounds. They were given antibiotics.