PHO warns Ilonggos on leptospirosis
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office has warned the public against leptospirosis, a bacterial disease caused by dirty water contaminated by animal urine.
IPHO assistant chief, Ma. Socorro Quinon, said the bacteria contacts with the human body through open wounds, eyes or mucous membranes.
To prevent this, Quinon said one should refrain from wading in dirty water.
As of press time, the IPHO has recorded one casualty and 17 reported cases in the province.
Quinon, however, said that cases last year are still much higher. From January to October 2009, five deaths and 158 cases have been recorded by the IPHO.
This year, cases were reported in the towns of Dumangas, Alimodian, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Concepcion, Estancia, Janiuay, Maasin, Miagao, Pavia, San Joaquin, San Miguel, and the city of Passi.
Research shows that leptospiral infection could manifest symptoms including high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or a rash. The second phase may result to meningitis, liver damage, and renal failure.
In its health advisory, the IPHO advised the public to refrain from swimming in floodwater or stagnant waters and if passing through a flooded area is unavoidable, protective footwear like rubber boots and gloves must be worn.
All exposed body areas, particularly the hands and feet, should be washed with soap and water and floodwater should not come into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth, it added.
Quinon said that leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease but a physician must first be consulted before taking the medicine.
