The Philippine Online Chronicles

More than 700 cases of the bacterial infection leptospirosis have been reported in Metro Manila, mostly from people living in areas that were submerged by the floods brought by tropical storm Ondoy. There have been at least 29 fatalities.

“We’re now observing cases of individuals who were exposed two or three weeks ago to floods caused by Ondoy,” said Dr. Rontgene Solante, a consultant at San Lazaro Hospital and vice president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

“We did not expect the surge in the number of cases. But we’re not turning away anyone,” he said.

Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to water contaminated by the urine of rats and other animals. Symptoms, which include fever and muscle pain, redness of the eyes and difficulty in urinating, may appear from 2 days to 3 weeks after infection. Complications may result in kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress. Most of the fatalities had died of kidney failure.

“We expect cases of leptospirosis to rise in two weeks,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. “We strongly advise anyone who had a history of wading in the recent floods and who has the symptoms to consult a doctor or health facility for treatment and those conducting rescue operations to wear boots as protection against the disease.”