Leptospirosis Philippines Outbreak - Death Toll at 89

The Department Of Health have declared an outbreak of leptospirosis in three barangays in Marikina as the death toll hit 89 cases. The three barangays are Tumana, Concepcion and Malanday. Secretary of Health, Francisco Duque III said the number of leptospirosis cases in public hospitals rose tremendously from 140 to 1027 between October 12 to 15.

The death toll from leptospirosis reached 89 as cases of the flood-borne disease in Metro Manila and flooded provinces rose tenfold in the past three days, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

“Cases of leptospirosis have really shot up these past few days. In fact, the Metro Manila figure even exceeded the 812 nationwide admissions in government hospitals for the whole of last year,” Duque further added.

“As we start to see in the National Capital Region (NCR), we also expect a lot of cases in the communities in Rizal, which make up the biggest number of barangays still under water at this time,” Duque noted.

“Although fewer than five cases were recorded in each barangay, we declared an outbreak because those areas had zero incidence of the infection last year,” Duque said.

According to Secretary Duque, at least 1.7 million people are at risk of acquiring leptospirosis since many areas in Metro Manila and CALABARZON are still submerged. He further believed that at least 3000 cases will be infected by the disease.

“We expect 3,800 people to get the infection and of this number, 3,040 will suffer uncomplicated symptoms while the rest will manifest complicated symptoms that would require them to undergo dialysis or face eventual death,” Duque said.

In response of the DOH to prevent the increase of leptospirosis, the department is giving 100 mg prophylaxis capsule to people at risk. “For the next three weeks, we will be giving 100 mg. prophylaxis capsule once a week to those at risk of acquiring the infection,”.

Medical experts clarified that the prophylaxis would only protect the people for a week, thus they are encouraged to avoid wading in floodwaters, especially if they have an open wound.