2008-07-12 12:04:08 - 8 dead, 77 ill after suspected leptospirosis in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY,

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The Department of Health (DOH) here has recorded a total of 8 deaths due to leptospirosis (Weil's disease), while 77 remain downed by the disease commonly transmitted from rodents' urine, in the aftermath of cyclone "Frank."

However, the toll, which was recorded in western Visayas during the period June 29 to July 10, have yet to be

verified if indeed, they were triggered by heavy rat infestation.

Dr. Jessie Glenn Alonsabe, of DOH regional epidemiology and surveillance unit (RESU) said eight casualties were already reported out of a total of 85 suspected cases.

The highest number of leptospirosis cases were monitored in Aklan with 49 cases and five casualties; Iloilo City, 21 cases and one death and Iloilo Province, 12 cases and one death while the rest are from Guimaras with one death.

The casualty from Guimaras could not be directly attributed to the flooding although the victim was working in Iloilo City.

Alonsabe stressed that all cases are still subject for confirmation although they are clinically compatible to leptospirosis.

He added that the disease has an incubation period of a week or two.

'It will take three to four weeks for the confirmation and we have to sent some specimen to Manila for the isolation,' he said.

Meanwhile, DOH regional director Lydia Depra-Ramos explained that leptospirosis can also be transmitted through contaminated floodwaters and mud.

In addition to leptospirosis, she added that their intervention is now focused on water sanitation and hygiene and dengue.

'Contact with flood especially by people with open wounds, should be well attended to. I assure that all the hospitals and facilities even at the start of the typhoon were all given assistance by the DOH,' she stressed.

She added that supply of medicines were already distributed to the Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Hospital while in Iloilo Province, Secretary Francisco Duque through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has released P3-million for medicines and relief and P1-million for Iloilo City for the repair of the Lapaz Maternity Clinic and purchase of medicines.

On the other hand, Alonsabe feared that a lot of breeding places for dengue carrying mosquitoes were developed as a result of the pooling of water in areas that were not inundated.

'We are expecting an increase in cases of dengue cases coming from these areas,' Alonsabe added. 'Not so much in flooded areas because the larvae were already washed away.'

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