ILOILO – This year from January to Oct. 6, 11 persons in this province have died due to leptospirosis, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The 11 were part of the 138 leptospirosis cases PHO recorded.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. One becomes infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment.
This year’s cases were 214 percent higher than last year’s 44 with five deaths, said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares Quiñon of the PHO.
The 11 deaths were in Oton (three), Alimodian and Santa Barbara (two each), Lambunao, Dumangas, Concepcion, and Cabatuan (with one each).
The leptospirosis bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
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 rash.
Twenty-six municipalities of Iloilo recorded leptospirosis cases, said Quiñon.
On the other hand, the 16 municipalities with no leptospirosis cases so far are Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan, Guimbal, Pavia, Lemery, San Dioniso, Ajuy, Mina, Estancia, San Joaquin, Balasan, Tubungan, Batad, Leganes, Igbaras, and San Rafael.
The component city of Passi also has no leptospirosis cases.
The Department of Health listed the following leptospirosis prevention and control measures:
* Avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or floodwater.
* Use of proper protection like boots and gloves when work requires exposure to contaminated water.
* Drain potentially contaminated water when possible.
* Control rats in the household by using rat traps or rat poison, maintaining cleanliness in the house.
According to Quiñon, a World Health Organization (WHO) study found leptospirosis to be endemic (regularly occurring) in Iloilo province.
“Kinahanglan maghalong gid kita,” she stressed.
Most of leptospirosis patients in the province were farmers between 21 to 30 years old, PHO data showed./PN
