Leptospirosis cases up by 17%: DOH

MANILA: The Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday the number of reported leptospirosis cases nationwide has increased by 17 percent in the past two weeks. A total of 255 new leptospirosis cases were logged from July 21 to Aug. 3 after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. The figure is higher than the 217 cases recorded from July 7 to 20. The total number of recorded leptospirosis cases nationwide from Jan. 1 to Aug. 3 has reached 2,115. 'It may be lower by 23 percent compared to 2,757 cases reported in the same period last year, but DOH epidemiologists continue to be cautious in interpreting trends as there may be late reports,' the DOH said in a news release. 'Also, the incubation period of leptospirosis ranges from two to 30 days, with a clinically observed average of 7 to 14 days.' Earlier, the DOH told patients suffering from leptospirosis that the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) and San Lazaro Hospital are not the only hospitals capable of treating the bacterial blood infection contracted from contaminated flood water. READ: Staffing shortage plagues NKTI amid rising leptospirosis cases The NKTI has converted its gymnasium into a ward to accommodate leptospirosis cases seeking treatment. In an interview on Tuesday, University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Director Gerardo Legaspi said the PGH began receiving leptospirosis cases last week. 'Araw-araw mayroong 24 dialysis na ginagawa for these patients (Every day, 24 dialysis [sessions] are conducted for these patients),' he said. 'Medyo mataas ang mortality rate, kasi ang mahirap sa leptospirosis nagsisimula sa lagnat at sakit ng katawan so marami sa mga pasiyente binabalewala ito. Kapag nagsha-shut down na kidney, apektado na baga, liver dun lang tatakbo sa ospital (The mortality rate is quite high because leptospirosis starts with fever and body pains, which many patients ignore. Only when the patient's kidney begins to shut down, with the lungs and liver already affect ed, are they rushed to the hospital),' he added. Last week, the DOH urged patients with leptospirosis to seek treatment in hospitals other than the NKTI, which is short of staff. In a public advisory, the DOH said it was assessing the clinical, epidemiologic, and logistics situation "to effectively respond to the rise in leptospirosis cases." Source: Philippines News Agency