Health officials in Quezon City, Philippines report a significant spike in leptospirosis cases - 52 cases in one week - following the heavy rains and flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat.
According to the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD), 213 total cases hace been reported through August 20 this year, up from 161 cases reported one week ago (161).
The death toll this year increased by 4 over the past week, now standing at 24.
Quezon City District 2 has been hit the hardest by leptospirosis this year with 69 cases, with Barangay Commonwealth reporting the most cases with 25, followed by Batasan Hills (14) and Payatas B (11).
Leptospirosis with Ted Herbosa, MD
The University of the Philippines campus in District 4 reported 9 cases since the beginning of the year.
District 2 also accounts for 37.5 percent of the total fatalities in Quezon City with 9.
Of the total cases, 168 cases or 79% are 21 years old and above. Males are most affected by leptospirosis (171 cases).
The QCESD reminds that leptospirosis is contracted from rat urine contaminated with leptospira bacteria which is often mixed with dirty water such as floodwaters especially when it enters the human body through wounds on the skin, eyes, nose and mouth.
Watch out for symptoms of leptospirosis if you have been in or exposed to floodwater or contaminated water in the past few days or weeks.
✅ fever
✅ headache and body aches
✅ vomiting
✅ chills
✅ jaundice
✅ red eyes
The public is continuously reminded to follow appropriate precautions to stay safe from leptospirosis.
Do not wade, swim, or paddle in floodwater
Use flood protection such as boots and gloves
Keep the environment clean to remove feces and urine from rats and other animals
If you accidentally wade in floodwater, consult a health center immediately to be prescribed doxycycline as a prevention for leptospirosis
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