The City Health Services Office recorded nine cases of leptospirosis from Jan. 1 to May 31 – an increase compared to three cases for the same period last year.
City Health Services Office Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Head, Dr. Donnabel Panes said most of them were isolated home cases thus no clustering of cases yet.
However, she cautioned the public since cases may continue to increase with the heavy rains dumped by Typhoon Betty leaving stagnant waters.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects humans and animals caused by urines from rats.
The bacteria can pass to humans through an open wound exposed to contaminated water or soil.
“One of the patients works at the public market as a vendor with travel history so we need to establish where the infection may have transpired,” Panes said.
The public is advised to clean-up and ensure pest control as well as sanitation in their homes to help control the spread of the disease.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong is also planning to relaunch the rat-catching challenge at the city public market conducted in 2020 in a bid to reduce the population of rats and reduce further cases of leptospirosis bacterial infection.
Magalong initiated the challenge three years ago to help in the city’s efforts to control pest problems at the public market where most residents buy their food. – Jessa Mardy P. Samidan
