ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has reiterated its appeal to residents, particularly those with open wounds, to avoid immersing in flood waters to prevent the risk of contracting leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by 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.
IPHO data as of Nov. 18 showed that the province had 257 cases of leptospirosis with 10 deaths — 101 percent higher compared to the same period last year with 128 cases and zero deaths.
“From Jan. 1 to Nov. 18, nagkalab-ot na sa 257 ang total cases of leptos kag unfortunately may ara kita nga 10 ka nagkalamatay nga kautoran,” said IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quinon.
The fatalities were recorded in the municipalities of Cabatuan (one), Banate (one), Miag-ao (one), Leon (one), Barotac Viejo (one), Badiangan (one), Balasan (one), Carles (one), Maasin (one), and Dueñas (one).
Meanwhile, the 10 municipalities with the highest cases are Cabatuan (46 cases with one death), Barotac Nuevo (19), Anilao (14), Banate (13 cases with one death), Pototan (13), Maasin (13 cases with one death), Oton (12), Alimodian (10), Miag-ao (nine cases with one death), and Janiuay (eight).
The remaining cases in the province per town are: San Miguel (seven), Dingle (six), Dumangas (six), Leon (six cases with one death), Santa Barbara (six), Tigbauan (six), Barotac Viejo (five cases with one death), Guimbal (five), San Joaquin (five), Badiangan (four cases with one death), Mina (four), San Enrique (four), Tubungan (four), Igbaras (four), Balasan (three cases with one death), Carles (three cases with one death), Dueñas (three cases with one death), Lambunao (two), Lemery (two), New Lucena (two), Passi City (two), Pavia (two), Ajuy (two), Batad (one), Calinog (one), Concepcion (one), Estancia (one), Leganes (one), San Dionisio (one), and Zarraga (one).
Only three of Iloilo’s 43 towns remain leptospirosis case-free. These are Bingawan, San Rafael and Sara.
“Ang aton obrahon kon kita nag-ubog sa tubig nga baha ukon nagapanguma kon diin naka-ubog ang tiil sa talamnan, magsuksok sang proteksyon kag gilayon nga mag-inom sang prophylaxis or magpangayo sang reseta sa sentro samtang mintrastanto nga may exposure kita,” Quiñon reminded. “Kon may pilas gani ang aton kahig kag naglusong sa aton talamnan palihog ko lang magkari gid gilayon sa aton nga RHUs para mahatagan sang treatment,”
It is learned that most of the leptospirosis deaths and cases in the province were farmers who had a history of wading in paddies.
Leptospirosis symptoms, in their early stages, 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
