Leptospirosis was confirmed to be the cause of 4 deaths and 20 people still hospitalized in Sibuco town, Zamboanga del Norte last week. Health Officials were not able to identify first the disease because of its unusual symptoms.
DOH (–foul word(s) removed–)istant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag sent a team from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) to Sibuco to identify the disease spreading and after examinations it has been verified to be Leptospirosis. Asec. Tayag said that it has been raining at Sibuco for a few weeks and there are living animals in the area. Since the disease came from the urine of the animal especially rats and during rain it mixes to the flood that people gets in contact.
“‘Pag kayo ay nagtampisaw sa basang bahagi ng lupa, tubig-baha at may sugat (kayo) sa binti, tapos may karamdaman na may kinalaman sa pananakit ng kasukasuhan at lagnat ay mag-suspetya na kayo na baka leptospirosis ‘yan,” he said.
During the press briefing Asec. Tayag added that it’s still curable but if not detected earlier, it can affect the liver and kidney which can lead to death.
Nationwide there has been 521 cases of Leptospirosis between January and May 2011 according to the data of DOH. They advised people not to swim in flood water and if not feeling well immediately go the nearest health centers and hospitals to seek medication.
