By NewsDesk @bactiman63
The number of deaths due to the bacterial infection, leptospirosis, have reached 370 through the end of October this year. This is an 108 percent increase in deaths compared to the same period in 2021 when 178 fatalities were reported.
Total leptospirosis cases are up 68 percent nationally with health officials reporting 2,794 cases compared to 1,661 last year.
The Philippines has seen a case fatality of more than 13 percent.
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The Metro Manila region has reported the most cases and deaths with 664 total cases and 75 deaths.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. People (and animals) can get infected when they are exposed to the urine of infected animals. They can also get infected from water, soil, or food contaminated with infected animal urine. Leptospirosis bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).
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To reduce your individual risk, it is important to understand that exposure to animals, soil, mud, and floodwaters during work or recreational activities increases your risk of infection.
Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), red eyes, and skin rash. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
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