Leptospirosis deaths hits 104
The death toll from the flood-borne infection, leptospirosis, has reached 104.
The National Epidemiology Center (NEC) of the Department of Health (DOH) has data that showed that admissions for leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila government and private hospitals spiked to 600 within two days.
San Lazaro Hospital in Manila has the highest (529) recorded number of leptospirosis cases with 32 deaths. Quirino Medical Center follows with 234 cases, East Avenue Medical Center has 221 and National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) has 111.
Among private hospitals, The Medical City, has the highest (172) reported number of leptospirosis admissions with five deaths.
An outbreak of leptospirosis has been declared by the DOH in the barangays Tumana, Concepcion and Malanday of Marikina City.
The regions of Metro Manila and CALABARZON has many areas that remain submerged putting 1.7 million people at risk of leptospirosis, as estimated by the DOH.
Medical experts encourages people to avoid wading in flood water, most especially if they have wounds or any breaks in the skin because prophylaxis would protect them from leptospirosis only for at least a week or 7 days.
