ILOILO City – The municipality of Pototan has the most number of leptospirosis cases in Iloilo province, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
From January to June 23, Pototan recorded eight cases.
One becomes infected with leptospirosis through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment.
Four other towns have at least five cases – Oton (six cases with two deaths), Cabatuan (five cases and one death), Maasin (five cases), and Lambunao (five cases).
As of June 23, Iloilo province so far had 61 cases. PHO also recorded seven deaths. Aside from the fatalities in Oton and Cabatuan, there were four more in the towns of Alimodian, Concepcion, Dumangas and Santa Barbara.
Leptospirosis bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, PHO chief, said people should avoid wading in floodwater.
It floodwater could not be avoided, wear protective gear such as boots, said Trabado.
Of particular concern to the PHO are farmers.
“As much as possible our farmers must wear boots when working in the field. If they don’t have one, they may wrap their legs with plastic,” said Trabado.
Leptospirosis 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.
EXPOSURE
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk of infection depends on exposure. Some humans have a high risk of exposure because of their occupation, the environment they live in or their lifestyle.
The main occupational groups at risk include:
* farm and agricultural workers
* pet shop workers
* veterinarians
* sewer workers
* abattoir workers
* meat handlers
* military personnel
* survivors of natural disasters (e.g., flooding)
* people engaging in recreational water sports (swimming, etc.)
WHO said the risk of infection is minimized by avoiding contact with animal urine, infected animals or a contaminated environment.
Measures to prevent transmission of leptospirosis include the following:
* wearing protective clothing (boots, gloves, spectacles, aprons, masks).
* covering skin lesions with waterproof dressings
* preventing access to, or giving adequate warning about water bodies known or suspected to be contaminated (pools, ponds, rivers). Try to avoid wading or swimming in potentially contaminated water
* washing or showering after exposure to urine splashes or contaminated soil or water
* washing and cleaning wounds
* avoiding or preventing urine splashes and aerosols, avoiding touching ill or dead animals, or assisting animals in giving birth
* strictly maintaining hygienic measures during care or handling all animals
* where feasible, disinfecting contaminated areas (scrubbing floors in stables, butcheries, abattoirs, etc.)
* consuming clean drinking-water/PN
