ILOILO – Out of 43 towns and one component city in the province, 20 logged cases of leptospirosis.
From Jan. 1 to Feb. 18, 46 cases were recorded – 411 percent higher than the nine cases reported in the same period last year.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. One becomes infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment. Bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
The towns with the highest cases are Cabatuan (10); Barotac Nuevo (seven); Pototan (six); Dingle (three); and Anilao, Mina, San Enrique, and Santa Barbara with two cases each.
The remaining towns with leptospirosis cases are Alimodian, Badiangan, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Carles, Dueñas, Dumangas, Leon, Miag-ao, New Lucena, San Miguel, and Tigbauan with one case each.
Meanwhile, 23 towns recorded zero cases: Ajuy, Banate, Batad, Bingawan, Calinog, Concepcion, Estancia, Guimbal, Janiuay, Igbaras, Lambunao, Legane, Lemery, Maasin, Oton, Passi City, Pavia, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, San Rafael, Sara, Tubungan, and Zarraga.
Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head, Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, said the increase in leptospirosis cases in the province is due to frequent rains. Stagnant water could be a breeding place for the Leptospira bacteria.
The IPHO head reminded Ilonggos, especially farmers, to avoid exposing open wounds to contaminated water such as floods.
If one cannot avoid wading in contaminated water, he must thoroughly wash with soap and clean water afterwards, she said.
Colmenares-Quiñon also encouraged those with open wounds exposed to flood water to immediately go to their respective rural health unit for prophylaxis.
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and rashes./PN
