Philippines reports leptospirosis increase in wake of Super Typhoon Carina
Philippines health officials are reporting an increase in leptospirosis cases nationally after being hit by Super Typhoon Carina a few weeks ago.
A total of 255 new leptospirosis cases were logged from July 21 to Aug. 3, an increase of 17 percent during this period compared to the two prior weeks.
The total number of recorded leptospirosis cases nationwide from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3 has reached 2,115.
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.
The other effects of Super Typhoon Carina include a total of 1,504,595 families or 5,431,830 persons are affected in 4,537 barangays, or villages in Regions NCR, I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VI, VII, X, and CAR.
There are 148,383 families or 594,303 persons displaced in Regions NCR, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, and CAR.
A total of 8,446 houses were damaged; of which, 1,122 are totally damaged and 7,324 are partially damaged in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VI, VII, X, and CAR.
A total of 8,446 houses were damaged; of which, 1,122 are totally damaged and 7,324 are partially damaged in Regions I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VI, VII, X, and CAR.