Philippines: Leptospirosis cases up 72 percent in 2023
Deaths due to bacterial pathogen up 43%
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reports a total of 5,511 cases of leptospirosis nationwide through October 28, a 72 percent increase compared to the same time in 2022 when 3,204 cases were recorded.
DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Alethea de Guzman said the increase in cases started middle of July along with the entry of a number of storms in the country.
Sixteen of the 17 regions in the country have reported an increase in cases, with Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX) reporting the highest increase at 214 percent, followed by MIMAROPA region (Region IV B) with 160 percent and Cordillera Administrative Region with a 117 percent increase in cases.
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According to the US CDC, Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria. Infected animals spread the bacteria through their urine (pee). When infected animals pee, the bacteria get into the water or soil and can live there for weeks to months.
You can be infected if you touch fresh water, soil, or other objects contaminated with infected animal urine. The most common ways to get infected is urine or contaminated water getting in your eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin (such as a cut or scratch). You can also get infected by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
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Some people with leptospirosis do not have any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), red eyes, stomach pain, diarrhea, and sometimes a rash. Without proper treatment with antibiotics, people with leptospirosis may develop serious problems with their kidneys, liver, or lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). In some cases, leptospirosis can cause death.