ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has urged the public to avoid wading through floodwaters to prevent leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmitted through contact with urine from infected animals or contaminated environments.
Leptospirosis bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Early symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, eye redness, abdominal pain, jaundice, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head, said the most effective way to avoid leptospirosis is by staying out of floodwaters and maintaining cleanliness at home to deter rats and pests that thrive in unsanitary environments.
“They [rats] often inhabit garbage areas. During floods, their urine, which may contain leptospira bacteria, can contaminate the water, posing a risk to the public,” Quiñon explained.
Parents are advised to ensure their children do not wade through floodwaters, while farmers are encouraged to seek prophylactic medication from their local Rural Health Units (RHUs) if they work in areas previously identified as leptospirosis hotspots.
“If farmers have wounds or itching on their feet, they must clean the affected area thoroughly and visit the RHU or hospital for appropriate treatment,” added Quiñon.
From January 1 to November 16, 2024, Iloilo recorded 181 leptospirosis cases with four fatalities, a 50% decline compared to the same period in 2023, which saw 361 cases. The fatalities were reported in Sara, Barotac Nuevo, Cabatuan, and Leon.
The towns with the highest leptospirosis cases this year are Janiuay (16), Leon (13, with one death), Oton (12), Alimodian (10), Tigbauan (10), Badiangan (eight), Pototan (eight), San Miguel (seven), Estancia (six), and Lambunao (six).
Other towns with cases include Pavia and Santa Barbara (six each), Cabatuan (five, with one death), Miag-ao (five), Barotac Nuevo (four, with one death); Barotac Viejo, Calinog, Igbaras, and San Enrique (four each); Carles, Guimbal, Lemery, Mina, New Lucena, and Passi City (three each); Sara, Ajuy, Anilao, Concepcion, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, Maasin, and Zarraga (two each); and Balasan, Banate, Leganes, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, and Tubungan (one each).
Meanwhile, Batad, Bingawan, and San Rafael recorded no cases./PN
