By Felino M. Santos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against leptospirosis with the recent floods in this city.
DOH Chief for Local Health Support Division Dr. Joshua Brillantes said exposure to contaminated flood waters in the barangays and evacuation centers that house thousands of evacuees could spread the disease.
The disease comes from the bacteria leptospira and is spread through flood water by contaminated urine of rats, dogs, pigs and cows.
The symptoms include leg muscle pains, fever and reddening of the lower part of the eye.
The disease’s incubation period is from three to 14 days and could be fata if left untreated.
Brillantes said he will meet with heads of hospitals and health service providers in this city to discuss ways to stem the spread of disease.
He advised the evacuees to stay away from flooded areas and stagnant water.
Leptospirosis is endemic in this city.
The Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) in August has raised the alarm over an increasing cases of leptospirosis which has so far left nine people, mostly children, dead out of 34 cases reported from January to August this year.
Dr. Afdal Kunting of the ZCMC said the 34 cases do not include unreported death in the barangays.
The cases are from Barangays Bunguiao, Mampang, Cabaluay, Labuan, Capisan, Curuan, San Roque, and Cawit.
One case was reported from Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.