The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported recently that the number of leptospirosis infections in the province in the Western Visayas in the Philippines is up a whopping 283 percent compared to the same period in 2017.
According to provincial health officials, 88 leptospirosis cases, including nine fatalities have been reported during the first eight months of 2018. The nine deaths were primarily farmers, according to local media.
This compares with 23 cases reported during the same period in 2017.
Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado, PHO chief said, “For the past weeks, we have been experiencing rains and farmers have been busy with their farm lands”.
Dr Trabado warns the public, particularly farmers who have open wounds, to avoid exposure to contaminated water.
If they cannot avoid it, farmers are encouraged to use rubber boots or plastic bags to cover their feet, especially the wounded parts, she added.
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