Philippines reports more than 7,200 leptospirosis cases year to date
Philippines health officials report a 19 percent increase in leptospirosis cases through November 23 this year.
7,234 cases of leptospirosis have been recorded year to date, up from 6,058 cases reported during the same period last year, according to Department of Health data.
Despite the significant increase in the cases, the fatality rate decreased to 9.12 percent this year from 10.83 percent in 2023.
Leptospirosis cases have risen in recent weeks as officials blame the increase on several typhoons that battered the country in October, which brought heavy rains and massive flooding.
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.
Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube
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 health agency said seeking immediate medical help is important for proper assessment and prescription of prophylaxis.