Which Philippine city was considered as a 2013 outbreak of leptospirosis which affected over 600 people?
MANILA, Philippines – Over 600 cases of leptospirosis were recorded in Metro Manila in the span of a year, the highest in the country.
How many cases of leptospirosis in Philippines?
In 2019, around 1.1 thousand reported leptospirosis cases were located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines….Number of reported leptospirosis cases in the Philippines as of November 2019, by region.
| Characteristic | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| – | – |
| – | – |
Is leptospirosis common in the Philippines?
Leptospirosis, known in most countries as a rare disease, is endemic to the Philippines. The disease is spread to humans through contact with urine of infected animals or through contact with water or soil contaminated by infected animals.
Is leptospirosis endemic in the Philippines?
Leptospirosis is highly endemic to the Philippines. Outbreaks usually occur during the typhoon season (July–October) (1–3).
What is the incubation period of leptospirosis in humans?
Clinical Features Symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting/diarrhea, cough, conjunctival suffusion, jaundice, and sometimes a rash. The incubation period is usually 5–14 days, with a range of 2–30 days.
Why is leptospirosis a big public health problem in the Philippines?
The number of leptospirosis outbreaks in Metro Manila has been directly attributed to socio-economic and environmental factors including unplanned urbanization and growth in urban slums, poor waste disposal, poor sanitation, rat infestation, heavy rains, and floods [4].
What is the treatment of leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease. Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms.
What is the drug of choice for leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or penicillin, which should be given early in the course of the disease. Intravenous antibiotics may be required for persons with more severe symptoms. Persons with symptoms suggestive of leptospirosis should contact a health care provider.
What are the signs and symptoms of leptospirosis?
In humans, Leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
- High fever.
- Headache.
- Chills.
- Muscle aches.
- Vomiting.
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- Red eyes.
- Abdominal pain.
What are the early signs of leptospirosis?
What happens if leptospirosis is left untreated?
Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
What is the prevention of leptospirosis?
The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine, or eliminating contact with potentially infected animals.