Foreign experts to help the country analyze leptospirosis cases

Foreign experts are ready to help us analyze the leptospirosis cases that surfaced in the aftermath of cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng. Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Epidemiology Center, said the experts came from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert Response Network composed of specialists from the Leptospirosis Center of Netherlands. He said the foreign experts will help their Filipino counterparts in studying the surge in leptospirosis cases in areas flooded by Ondoy and Pepeng. “They are here to study the prevailing strain of Leptospira," noted Tayag, referring to the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. The bacteria are acquired from floodwater contaminated by urine of animals, particularly rats. Tayag added that through the study, they would be able to know why the current Leptospira strain is so vicious, resulting in a lot of deaths. “By identifying the strain, we can also identify the animal where the strain originated as there are strains that are specific only to certain animals," he said. The study will focus on determining why many infected individuals died and on complications that accompanied the disease. As of Oct. 26, the DOH has recorded a total of 2,158 cases including 167 deaths. The DOH is now closely monitoring 34 barangays where many leptospirosis cases are clustered. These barangays are found in Pasay, Valenzuela, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Makati, Caloocan, Taguig, Manila, Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Parañaque, and Malabon. – GMANews.TV