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Health officials have raised public awareness to the increasing problem of leptospirosis nationwide; particularly in areas affected by flooding.
The Department of Health has recorded at least 2061 cases of leptospirosis since January 2011, this compares with 699 cases for the same time period of 2010. Most cases were reported in Western Visayas (826) followed by National Capital Region (411), Central Luzon (166) and Davo (131). In heavily flooded areas the Department of Health has distributed prophylactic antibiotics in order to try and reduce the number of deaths from the infection.
Advice for Travellers
The rainy season is not yet over and many areas remain flooded following recent typhoons. Leptospirosis is caused by contact with fresh water, wet soil, or vegetation that has been contaminated by urine of animals that are chronically infected. The infection is transmitted through unhealed breaks in the skin, the eyes, or the mucous membranes. Travellers are advised not to wade through flood water or bathe, swim in water that may be infected.
