LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The Provincial Health Office reported that cases of leptospirosis in Pangasinan from January 1, 2024, to July 8, 2024, decreased by 100 percent as compared to the same period in 2023.
This, according to PHO, is based on the consolidated reports of the Pangasinan provincial hospitals, Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC), and private hospitals.
As stated in the report, there were 10 reported cases and three deaths in 2023, while there were five recorded cases and two deaths as of July 8, 2024.
The 10 reported cases in 2023 were from Urdaneta City (2); Bani (1); Mangatarem (1); Mangaldan (1); and Sta. Barbara (1); Asingan (1); Manaoag (1); Sison (1); and Umingan (1). The five cases for 2024 are from Alaminos City (1); Bugallon (1); San Fabian (1); Basista (1); and Umingan (1).
On the other hand, recorded fatalities in 2023 were from Manaoag (1), Sison (1), and Umingan (1), while in 2024, the two reported deaths were from Basista (1) and Umingan (1).
The PHO warns the public to be very careful, especially during the onset of the rainy season when most areas are flooded.
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria that affects people and animals like rats, pigs, cows, and dogs. It is spread in the urine (pee) of infected animals. The risk often increases during floods when people come into contact with contaminated water or soil.
The most common ways to get infected are through urine or contaminated water getting into the eyes, nose, mouth, or even broken skin such as a cut or scratch.
Here are some precautionary measures to prevent leptospirosis at home:
1) avoid touching freshwater or soil that may be contaminated with animal urine;
2) Avoid touching objects that may be contaminated with animal urine, such as animal bedding.
3) Don’t wade, swim, or put your head in floodwaters or water from lakes, rivers, or swamps.
Prevention includes not walking barefoot and wearing protective clothing like gloves, closed shoes, or boots. Potentially contaminated water for drinking must be boiled or chemically treated. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)
