After The Storm- The Danger Of Leptospirosis

[Call me bubba]

Well its been awhile since any news or updates have been posted,

 

Its time to review & refresh this topic due to the Current storm affecting

the NCR and areas surrounding<

Hope the newer members can find this topic helpful for them.

 

just a partial post of the story

 

Meanwhile, health personnel in evacuation centers are also providing doxycycline capsules to evacuees as protection from leptospirosis.

“We are on continuously monitoring events and immediately responding to health needs of those affected by Habagat, especially those in evacuation centers and emergency rescue personnel,” Janairo said.

The Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) reported a total of 133 cases admitted from January 1 to August 10 this year.

The figure is 63 percent lower compared to the same period last year with 357 cases.

Ages of cases ranged from 11 months to 82 years. Majority (81%) were male.

 

Most (22%) cases were from Manila City. 10 deaths were recorded.

 

http://www.manilatimes.net/doh-ncr-distributes-anti-leptospirosis-meds-to-lgus/31523/

 

another post on this from yahoo(only partial is listed)

what you should know about Water-borne communicable diseases

 

Leptospirsis

 

What it is:

An infectious disease caused by an organism passed from animals to humans, often by coming in contact with water contaminated with the urine of cattle, pigs, rats, cats and dogs.

What it does:

Causes mild, flu-like symptoms that disappear in 5-7 days. Severe complications may result in kidney failure, liver dysfunction, pneumonitis and damage to the circulatory system.

 

What are its symptoms:

1 to 2 weeks after exposure: fever, tremors, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, cough, skin rashes and muscle aches, especially pain over the calves of the legs.

 

How it’s treated:

Antibiotics to eradicate the organism from the system, muscle relaxants for calf pain and paracetamol to control the fever.

 

How to prevent:

Wear boots, closed shoes and socks or stockings when wading in floodwaters. Thoroughly WASH skin exposed to floodwaters with soap and water and disinfect with alcohol.

If you are repeatedly exposed to floodwaters,

 chemoprophylaxis, a medicine that prevents infectious disease. Consult your doctor.

 

TYPHOID FEVER

 

 

What it is:

A life-threatening bacterial disease transmitted by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the feces or urine of infected people.

 

What it does:

Causes high sustained fever of 39-40C. Complications include intestinal bleeding,

which, according to mayoclinic.com, is signaled by a sudden drop in blood pressure,

shock and blood in your stool. It can also cause pneumonia, meningitis and delirium, among others.

What are its symptoms:

 

1 to 3 weeks after exposure, the onset of said fever, as well as headaches, constipation or diarrhea, red spots on the chest. Once healthy, you may also become a carrier.

 

How it’s treated:

Antibiotics.

How to prevent:

Vaccination. Avoiding risky sources of food and water. Healthy carriers should avoid handling food. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has coined a phrase that makes it easy for you to remember what to do with food you eat: "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."

 

CHOLERA

 

What it is:

An extremely dangerous but easily treatable bacterial disease that the World Health Organization says is “linked to inadequate environmental management.” Examples include urban slums and refugee camps where “minimum requirements of clean water and sanitation are not met.”

 

What it does:

Cholera can kill within hours if left untreated. It can cause severe watery diarrhea, vomiting and liver failure.

 

What are its symptoms:

According to WHO, 75% of people infected do not develop any symptoms although the bacteria are present in their stool around a week or two after infection.

Aside from watery diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, those who develop symptoms can also experience rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, thirst, muscle cramps, loss of skin elasticity and dry mucus membranes

.

How it’s treated:

Quite easily. Up to 80% of those infected should be promptly given oral rehydration salts; others require intravenous fluids; and in some cases, antibiotics.

 

How to prevent:

Drink only safe water. Wash your hands with soap and water. Keep food preparation areas as well as bathing areas clean. Again, “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it.” Oral vaccines are also available.

 

http://ph.she.yahoo.com/what-you-should-know-about-water-borne-communicable-diseases--062639949.html

Edited August 20, 2013 by Pittman apartments Sgn

[Call me bubba]

its been 3 weeks since the BIG STORM and now the Leptospirosis cases are now appearing

here is the latest news article

 

MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks after tropical storm “Maring” hit Metro Manila and some provinces

, the Philippine General Hospital’s Department of Medicine-Section of Nephrology has reported an “alarming increased rates” of admissions from leptospirosis.

Dr. Kristin Luzentales, chief fellow of the Section of Adult Nephrology

said in a report that a total of 33 cases have been admitted since August 31 with a “high seven mortalities or deaths.”

 

Citing the 2010 Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines, the report showed that “leptospirosis is an endemic zoonosis in the Philippines with an average of 680 leptospirosis cases and 40 deaths from the disease reported every year and a prevalence of 10/100,000” population.

The disease is seasonal with a peak incidence during the rainy months of July to October.

“Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonoses with human infection

occurring commonly through superficial cuts and open wounds after exposure to a contaminated environment

(e.g. flood), direct contact with infected animals or following rodent bites,” the report stated.

 

“The spectrum of presentation of leptospirosis is protean and varies from a mild and inapparent form to a severe one involving multi-organ system,” the report further showed. 

 According to Dr. Rey Tan, training officer of the Section of Nephrology and assistant chair of the Department of Internal Medicine for Support Services, a “good evidence (for leptospirosis) would mean any individual presenting with acute febrile illness of at least 2 days and either residing in a flooded  area or has high-risk exposure.”

Tan said that a person should be considered as a “suspected leptospirosis case”

if he is manifesting at least two of the following symptoms:

myalgia, calf tenderness,

conjunctival suffusion, chills,

 

abdominal pain, headache,

jaundice, or oliguria. 

 

“Clinicians should therefore have a high index of suspicion among patients

with febrile illness and high risk exposures because mortality may be as high as 15 percent,” he said.

Tan added that patients presenting with fever, muscle pain and headache “

are thus advised to consult their doctors as soon as possible to prevent fatal complications like kidney failure necessitating urgent dialysis.”

 

http://philnews.com/headlines/2013/headline_news_0910af.htm

[Call me bubba]

 the cases this year seem to be lower than last years figures

Now the problem is the new outbreak in Zamables

 

 

 

MANILA – A total of 663 cases of leptospirosis were reported in the National Capital Region (NCR) as of October 5 this year, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

DOH said leptospirosis cases in the country have reached 2,084 as of October 5,

68% lower compared to the same period last year (6,439).

A total of 141 deaths were also reported, lower than last year’s figure of 318.

 

DOH said majority of those infected are male, aged 40 years old and above.

 

 The DOH is still investigating how a leptospirosis outbreak in

Olongapo occurred when the agency had already distributed antibiotics as prophylaxis for the residents after the flooding last September 23.

Tayag said they have received reports that some residents did not take the medicine.

 

A total of 202 cases of leptospirosis have been reported in Olongapo as of October 9.

At least five people were killed by the disease.
 
Some patients may be transferred to other hospitals due to the increasing number of patients in need of dialysis

at the James Gordon Memorial Hospital.

The DOH has distributed the same antibiotics to the residents of Zamboanga, but They warned that if they too do not take the medicines, cases may also rise in the coming weeks.

 

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/10/10/13/663-leptospirosis-cases-reported-metro-manila

[Medic Mike]

Soap and water is helpful. However, the problem is bacterial in nature, so if you beleive there has been exposure, it is better to wash yourself with a betadine/water mixture. Rinse after with soap and water.