There are 90 Negrenses who have been hospitalized for suspected leptospirosis and four deaths following the Typhoon “Tino” floods that hit the 4th and 5th Districts of Negros Occidental, Dr. Gilie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said on Monday, Nov. 24.
The number could even be higher as not all cases have been reported, she said, stressing the need for those experiencing leptospirosis symptoms to seek immediate medical attention as it could be fatal.
While there is an upsurge in suspected leptospirosis cases, they cannot declare an outbreak yet because they have to be investigated, Pinongan said.
A declaration would have to come from the Department of Health (DOH), she said.
DOH Negros Island Region officials led by Dr. Razel Nikka Hao met with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) representatives led by Pinongan on Monday to develop strategies on how to move forward.
“We in the Department of Health are working very closely with our local governments to make sure that we’re monitoring and responding to all of the consequences in terms of health from the different disasters that we have been experiencing,” she said.
Pinongan said the four suspected leptospirosis deaths are under investigation.
The reported suspected leptospirosis cases are 90, with 72 of the patients having been exposed to the recent flooding, she also said.
They do not have the exact number of leptospirosis cases yet as only a few LGUs have submitted their reports, Pinongan said.
Pinongan said those experiencing signs and symptoms of leptospirosis, such as fever, chills, body aches should go to the nearest health facilities to seek immediate treatment.
‘DON’T’S WAIT FOR FLOODS’
Pinongan also said preemptive evacuation has started in Negros Occidental amid expected heavy rain from Monday to Wednesday.
“Don’t wait for the floods, evacuate now,” she said.
The PHO has available Doxycycline to be used as prophylaxis for residents who were exposed to flood waters, Pinongan also assured.
Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rats, which can contaminate floodwaters.
The primary danger of leptospirosis is its potential to cause severe, life-threatening multi-organ failure if not treated promptly, the DOH warns.
CLMMRH PATIENTS
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City reported on Monday that it has 22 currently admitted patients for leptospirosis aged 8 to 66 years old, with four from Bacolod City and 18 from southern Negros Occidental.
One minor has died, it added.*