ILOILO – As much as possible, do not to wade in floodwater. It could be contaminated.
But if wading can’t be avoided, wear protective gear such as rubber boots, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).
The IPHO issued this public advisory as cases of leptospirosis in the province climbed to 34 with five deaths as of Aug. 6.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. One becomes infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment, said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, provincial health officer.
The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
In the early stages of the disease, symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.
The 34 leptospirosis cases (from January to August) were actually 52.8 percent lower than the 72 cases with five deaths recorded in the same period in 2021, according to the IPHO.
These were from the following areas: Oton (three), Maasin (three), Passi City (two), Banate (two cases with one death), Zarraga (two), San Miguel (two cases with one death), Cabatuan (two), Tubungan (one), Lambunao (one death), Carles (one death), Badiangan (one), Pototan (one), San Joaquin (one), Leon (one), Concepcion (one death), New Lucena (one), Sara (one), Mina (one), San Rafael (one), Lemery (one), Barotac Viejo (one), Balasan (one), Dumangas (one), and Calinog (one).
The five fatalities were from Banate, San Miguel, Lambunao, Carles, and Concepcion.
Meanwhile, 19 towns remained leptospirosis-free. These were Janiuay, Alimodian, Tigbauan, Dueñas, San Enrique, Anilao, Dingle, Miag-ao, Guimbal, Estancia, Igbaras, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Pavia, Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan, San Dionisio, Ajuy, and Batad./PN