DOH gives advisory on Leptospirosis

By Nephele Fabiola S. Kirong

Friday 10th of August 2012

QUEZON CITY, Aug 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) has released a health advisory on Leptospirosis on its Facebook page, following the floods in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

DOH said leptospirosis, which is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, can be transmitted when wounds come in contact with flood waters, vegetation or moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.

The signs and symptoms include fever, calf-muscle pain and reddish eyes for some cases and non-specific symptoms of muscle pain and headache.

Aside from these, severe cases result to liver involvement, kidney failure or brain involvement. Thus, some cases may show yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine, light stools, low urine output and severe headache.

The health department said treatments are antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician.

DOH also advised early consultation, since early recognition and treatment within the first two days of illness help prevent complications of leptospirosis.

The department also listed ways of prevention and control through avoidance of swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water, use of proper protection like boots and gloves when works requires exposure to contaminated water, draining of such water,and control of rats in the household by using traps, poison and maintenance of cleanliness. (DOH/PIA-GHQ)