Philippines DOH warning: Don't wade in flooded waters

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This is the warning to the public coming from the Philippines Department of Health after the latest numbers on leptospirosis in the country showed that the number of cases this year has passed 2,000.


According to a report in the Visayan Daily Star:


Dr. Eric Tayag, assistant secretary and spokesman of the Dept. of Health, cautioned in particular those people who have fever and waded in flooded areas for the past three to seven days to seek medical attention for possible leptospirosis infection.

"Those people need to take prescribed antibiotic to prevent the progression of the infection, Tayag said.

He was referring to those who recently waded in flood waters; have had high fever for two to three days; fever was accompanied by body pains, chills, headaches, and red eyes (like sore eyes); jaundice (yellowing of the skin); decreased levels of urination; and urine was tea-colored (a dark amber color).

Leptospirosis isa bacterial zoonotic disease caused by the corkscrew shaped organism,Leptospira. It goes by several other names depending on the locale; mud fever,swamp fever, sugar cane and Fort Bragg fever, among others. It is a disease ofboth humans and animals.
The rat isthe main host to Leptospira. However other animals such as cattle, pigs,horses, dogs, rodents, and wild animals.
People becomeinfected by direct or indirect contact with the urine of these animals. Contactwith urine-contaminated water is extremely important. Contaminated food andsoil containing animal urine are other potential sources of infection.
The bacteriumenters through contact with skin. Especially through cuts or breaks in the skinand through mucous membranes like the eyes.
Foundworldwide, it was long considered an occupational disease (miners,farming, vets, and sugarcane harvesting and sewer workers), it is increasinglyassociated with recreational water sports and camping.
Symptoms ofleptospirosis, if present,  appear in up to 4 weeks after exposure.Sometimes the person will show no symptoms or mildflu-likesymptoms.
According to theCDC, Leptospirosis may occur in two phases; after the first phase, withfever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, thepatient may recover for a time but become ill again. If a second phase occurs,it is more severe; the person may have kidney or liver failure(jaundice) or meningitis. This phase is also called Weil’s disease.
Leptospirosisis confirmed by laboratory testing of a blood or urine sample.
The infection canbe treated with antibiotics (penicillin and doxycycline), especiallyif started early in the disease. For very ill patients, intensive care supportand IV antibiotic may be necessary.
The DoH warnsthe public to avoid flooded areas and to refrain from coming in contactwith flood water, to wear protective clothing like pants, rubberboots, gloves or rubber jumpsuits, maintain the cleanliness of their homes and gettingrid of rats.


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