Filtered By: Topstories
News

DOH: Lepto spiking in Rizal and Metro Manila, kills 89


Leptospirosis, a usually rare bacterial infection, has afflicted more people in Metro Manila and Rizal in the last two weeks than it typically does in an entire year, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque at a press conference Friday morning. He attributed the spike to large numbers of people wading in floodwaters teeming with bacteria that causes the disease. "We expect a lot more cases in Rizal (province) and Calabarzon," said Duque, citing areas where hospital data is still coming in and where stagnating floodwaters remain in heavily populated communities. He said one million people in the Calabarzon region are at risk of exposure to the bacteria, while 700,000 people are vulnerable in Metro Manila. “Iyong buhos ng leptospirosis ngayon ay katumbas ng buhos ng pang isang taon na… Parang iyong ulan ni Ondoy (The current incidence of leptospirosis is equivalent to the number of cases in a year… just like the volume of rain caused by storm Ondoy)," said Duque.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Storm Ondoy brought a record six-hour non-stop downpour equivalent to an ordinary month’s volume of rain. In Metro Manila alone, the Department of Health has recorded 1,027 leptospirosis patients, with 89 deaths, for a high 8.6 percent mortality rate. “The fatality rate of leptospirosis this year could easily be one of the highest ever," Duque told GMANews.TV.
Table shows the number of cases per city in Metro Manila after Ondoy hit the region. GMANews.TV
Outbreak in Marikina Dr. Eric Tayag, a DOH expert on epidemics, said their projections show that nearly 4,000 people will eventually come down with leptospirosis, which is spread through animal urine mixed with floodwater entering openings in human skin. "Pero hindi natin paaabutin dito (But we will not let it reach this point)," Tayag added. Duque singled out Marikina where the infectious disease is spreading rapidly, with Tumana, Concepcion I, and Malanday as the most affected communities. "It's an outbreak there because in 2008 Marikina had zero cases," Duque said. Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC), told GMANews.TV that outbreak levels vary from one area to another. “An outbreak is defined by an area’s five-year average threshold," Oliveros said. This means that an outbreak will only be declared when the number of cases for a particular area becomes higher than the average number of cases for the last five years. Duque said the DOH will begin distributing free doxycycline antibiotic drugs in Marikina on Friday as a prophylactic, or means of prevention. The best prevention, however, is to stay out of polluted floodwaters. But Duque said many people are wading in the waters to return to their homes or simply to get from one place to another. Widespread floodwaters arrived with storm Ondoy in the last week of September and never left some places. Some areas are expected to be flooded until the end of the year. Areas at risk Leptospirosis usually takes two weeks after infection to manifest flu-like symptoms. If not diagnosed early enough, it can lead to meningitis, liver damage, or death. Nearly one in ten afflicted so far have died, a high mortality rate for any disease. Despite the higher mortality rate this year compared to the same period last year, Duque said the Philippines’ leptospirosis situation is still considered at the “low end" in Asia. “In other countries, the fatality rate can range between 5 to 40 percent," he said.
LEPTOSPIROSIS 101
Leptospirosis * a bacterial infection caused by a corkscrew-shaped bacterium called leptospira * occurs through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or by contact with a urine-contaminated environment such as surface water, floodwater, soil, and plants * affects both humans and animals * leptospira have been found in rats, insectivores, dogs, cats, cattle, pigs and horses * bacteria enter through broken skins, through eyes, nose or mouth exposed to contaminated water although less frequently through animal bites, handling infected animal tissues or swallowing contaminated food or water * an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors or with animals, such as rice and sugar-cane field workers, farmers, sewer workers, veterinarians, dairy workers and military personnel * a recreational hazard to those who swim or wade in contaminated waters. In endemic areas the number of leptospirosis cases may peak during the rainy season and even may reach epidemic proportions in case of flooding. SYMPTOMS Incubation period for the bacteria lasts 7 to 12 days. During this period, the following symptoms may be felt (although sometimes it can also be asymptomatic): * high fever * severe headache * chills * muscle pain * vomiting * jaundice * redness in the eyes * abdominal pain * hemorrhages in skin and mucous membranes (including pulmonary bleeding) * diarrhea * rash However, if these aren't treated, they may develop into kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress. PREVENTION * reduce the rat population with the destruction of their habitats -- maintain a clean home * avoid immersion in natural waters such as rivers, lakes and canals * avoid immersion in floods * use protective footwear or clothing when immersion to natural waters or floods is inevitable * provide clean drinking water Related link: Prevention and Control of Food and Waterborne Diseases Source: GMA News Research, Department of Health, World Health Organization
The cure The DOH said it could end up spending P13.8 million for the 1.3 million people believed to have been exposed to the Leptospira bacterium after wading through Ondoy’s floods. An exposed individual who is eligible to receive the drug will be given 200 mg of doxycycline, which costs P3.20 and could protect him or her for a week. The DOH plans to give the prophylaxis to affected individuals for three weeks. For treatment, the DOH will allocate P30 million for some 3,800 people projected to manifest leptospirosis in its various stages (termed as “complicated and uncomplicated leptospirosis"). It would cost the government around P20,000 to treat an individual suffering from complicated leptospirosis. Suspected victims of leptospirosis will be accommodated in DOH hospitals and medical facilities run by local governments. In case there is no vacancy in one hospital, patients would be taken to pre-identified hospitals, Duque said. Before the press briefing, Duque met with Philippine Hospitals Association (PHA) president Ruben Flores, who vowed to admit “spillovers" through 19 member private hospitals. Other regions Duque said they have yet to receive data on cases of leptospirosis in other Luzon provinces hit by floods, but added that others would surely have their own cases. These provinces include Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, and Aurora. The massive flooding in central and northern Luzon provinces has been blamed not only on Pepeng’s rains but also on the series of water releases carried out by a number of major dams in the region. “For now, we don’t know yet [about cases of leptospirosis]. Busy pa sila doon (They’re still busy) doing relief work," Duque said, referring to areas in the region where floods have yet to subside. – with Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT