Sunday, March 12, 2006
Health dep't warns public v. leptospirosis
DAVAO CITY -- In the wake of the La Niña phenomenon, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against leptospirosis.
DOH Health Operations Division medical specialist Cyrus J. Trocio said frequent rain that causes flood makes humans more prone to leptospirosis, apart from the common illnesses and diarrhea.
"But, what we worry, during rainy season and we are on guard is leptospirosis," Trocio said in an interview Saturday.
Trocio said though there are still no cases of leptospirosis in the city today despite frequent rains during the past days.
He said wading in floodwater even for a very short span of time could allow a person to get leptospirosis.
But, in case a person cannot avoid wading in the flood, Trocio said after in contact with flood water, the person should wash his feet immediately with clean water and if possible apply disinfectants such as alcohol to kill the germs.
HealthLink website states that Leptospirosis is a disease caused by several strains of bacterium called Leptospira.
The most known source of Leptospira is rat urine. But, the excretion of both by wild and domestic animals like dogs, horses, swine and rodents are also sources of the said bacterium through their urine.
Their urine can contaminate water, moist soil, or vegetation with the Leptospira bacterium. Humans can acquire the infection if the bacterium contacts abraded skin, mucous membranes or is ingested.
Illness can range from mild to severe. Leptospirosis can cause fever, headache, severe muscle pain, fatigue, and gastrointestinal upset. Less frequently, it can result to meningitis, liver and kidney dysfunction and eye inflammation.
Severe cases occur more commonly in older persons and can result in death, but, Trocio said children are more prone to the disease.
As of today, Trocio said the DOH is conducting monitoring and information drives through the media to warn the public of the said disease. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(March 12, 2006 issue)
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