MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health said Tuesday that over the past two weeks, the number of reported Leptospirosis cases in the country increased by 17 percent citing the effects of Typhoon Carina.
From July 21 to August 3, about 255 new leptospirosis cases were reported following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Carina and the intensified southwest monsoon.
This number surpasses the 217 cases recorded during the previous period, from July 7 to 20, according to the health department.
The total number of leptospirosis cases reported nationwide between January 1 and August 3 has now reached 2,115, it said.
“It may be lower by 23 percent compared to 2,757 cases reported in the same period last year, but DOH epidemiologists continue to be cautious in interpreting trends as there may be late reports,” the DOH said in a news release.
Leptospirosis has an incubation period ranging from 2 to 30 days, with an average of seven to 14 days, it said.
Following the report, a surge in leptospirosis cases has filled the National Kidney and Transplant Institute’s emergency room to capacity, with 67 new cases added to the 48 already confined on Friday last week.
Dr. Romina Danguilan, the deputy executive director for medical services at NKTI, reported that the number of patients in the emergency room has doubled, adding that due to the influx of cases, the NKTI has already converted its gymnasium into a ward just to accommodate these patients
“The ER is good for 60 patients, but admissions made now reached 120. So, you can imagine our staff being overworked. They might not be able to go home because we lack manpower to monitor patients and give them medication,” Danguilan said.
The increase in leptospirosis patients is typical after a storm, with recent floods from Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon likely contributing to this surge, she said.
The University of the Philippines — Philippine General Hospital also announced that it started receiving leptospirosis patients last week, noting that over 24 dialysis sessions were being conducted every day for these patients.
“The mortality rate is quite high because leptospirosis often starts with fever and body aches, which many patients tend to ignore. It is only when the kidneys start shutting down and the lungs and liver are affected that they seek hospital care,” UP-PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi said in Filipino in a state media interview.
