The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reminded the public to take extra caution to prevent leptospirosis after many areas in Luzon were submerged due to the rains brought by the typhoons in the past weeks.
“We are preparing a standard campaign that I know our kababayan can follow. We are taking the next steps to secure the people from leptospirosis,” PRC Chair and Sen. Richard Gordon said in a news release.
The PRC has mobilized its health services to reach out to the communities. Health campaign teams are sent to evacuation centers while information materials are distributed to concerned institutions.
To prevent leptospirosis, the PRC advised the public to avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water, use boots and gloves or any protection available when exposed to flooded waters, drain potentially contaminated water, control rodents in the household by using traps or poison for rats, and maintain cleanliness in the house.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, such as rodents and other vermin. Animal wastes may contain leptospira spirochetes bacteria, especially from rats, which contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation.
A person having leptospirosis can experience fever, muscle pain, and headache and may have reddish eyes.
Severe cases can result in liver or kidney failure.
Other signs can be a yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine and light stools, and low urine output. – Press release
