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MANILA – Ten more barangays in Metro Manila have a leptospirosis outbreak, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday, raising the total number of affected villages to 28.

"Yung mga barangay na naapektuhan ay nadagdagan pa mula 18 noong huli akong nagpahayag ay nasa 28 na. Nadagdagan ng 10 at nadagdagan ng isang siyudad," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told DZMM radio. 

(The number of barangays that are affected has increased from 18 from the last time I spoke to 28 now. There are an additional 10 [villages] and one additional city.)

Leptospirosis outbreak declared in some Metro Manila villages

Caloocan was added to the list of affected cities, as two of its barangays have recorded cases of the animal-borne disease.

"Ang lugar na maraming tao at bahain, 'yan ang pinakamalaking factor sa pagkalat, pagdami ng lepto cases," he said.

(When places are populated and flood-prone, that's the biggest factor in the spread and increase of leptospirosis cases.)

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by contact with flood water, mud, or food contaminated with the urine of rats, dogs, pigs, cattle, or goats. 

"Nakakalungkot, may pumanaw na 58 na sa mga mahigit 454 kaso ng lepto mula January 1 to July 5," he said.

(It's sad that 58 out of 454 patients with leptospirosis have died from January 1 to July 5.)

Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, headache, muscle pain, eye redness, tea-colored urine, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

If left untreated, leptospirosis may cause kidney failure, brain damage, massive internal bleeding, and death, DOH said. 

Leptospirosis: What you need to know

Duque said the DOH is ensuring that hospitals are prepared and well-equipped to treat leptospirosis cases.

He appealed to the public to observe personal hygiene and avoid wading in flood waters.

The health chief said the public could rely on state health subsidies when seeking treatment for the disease, with PhilHealth providing an P11,000 leptospirosis package. 

"So 'wag po nating gawing dahilan 'yan kung bakit hindi kayo pumupunta sa mga pagamutan," Duque said. 

(So don't make that an excuse why you do not seek medical treatment.)

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