Leptospirosis case in Mandaue City: How to prevent it

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Mandaue City Acting Vice Mayor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz. | CDN Digital Photo/Mary Rose Sagarino

MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — Acting Vice Mayor and Committee on Health chairperson and physician Nerissa Soon-Ruiz asked residents to take precautions against leptospirosis.

The call is in line with the recent increase in Leptospirosis cases in Mandaue City.

According to the Municipal Health Bureau’s leptospirosis monitoring report, from January to August 18 this year, various disease reporting units reported a total of 11 cases of leptospirosis and one death.

The patients’ ages ranged from 15 to 54 years old, and 82% were male.

The total number of cases last year was 12, including three deaths.

Most of the cases this year were flood-related and were recorded in Barangays Paknaan, Alang-Alang, Guizo, Tingub, Casuntingan, Tabok, Looc, Cubacub and Bakilid.

Signs and symptoms

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira. The most common source of infection is contact with infected animal urine and/or contaminated soil or water.

Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain, chills and vomiting. The disease can cause kidney damage, breathing difficulties and even death.

How to prevent leptospirosis

Soon-Ruiz said on Wednesday, August 28, that the best way to avoid contracting the disease is to practice hygiene and avoid wading in flood water or any dirty water.

She recommended that people wear boots if floodwaters are not too high and check their lower limbs for wounds.

However, if they do get involved in flood water, they should immediately wash exposed areas of their body thoroughly with soap.

If they feel unwell, they are advised to go to the Municipal Health Department for medication.

“It is preventable with antibiotics and it is also curable. Kinahanglan gyud ang health facilities,” Soon-Ruiz said.

Soon-Ruiz added that village health workers have been educated about leptospirosis to educate residents. However, she noted that the cases are not yet cause for concern.

From January to August this year, a total of 11 cases of leptospirosis and one death were reported in Mandaue City.

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