What You Need to Know About Leptospirosis

After the flood brought about by tropical storm Ondoy (international codename Ketsana), the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) recorded 375 confirmed cases of leptospirosis with 28 patients already died from the disease. So, what is this so-called leptospirosis and where does it come from?

Leptospirosis (also known as Weil's disease, Weil's syndrome, canicola fever, canefield fever, nanukayami fever, 7-day fever, "Fort Bragg fever," and "Pretibial fever") is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal and is contagious as long as it is still moist. Although rats, mice and voles are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, and even certain marine mammals are also able to carry and transmit the disease as secondary hosts.

Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from infected animals most specifically rats. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person and cases of bacterial dissemination in convalescence are extremely rare in humans.

Leptospirosis is common among residents in flood-stricken areas. Occupations at risk include emergency responders attending to flood victims (presumably wading in floodwaters themselves), rescue divers, boat operators submerged in floodwater, pedicab or tricycle drivers submerged in water, vendors in flooded market, sewer workers, and persons working on derelict buildings as prolonged immersion in water is known to promote the entry of the bacteria. Typhoon Ondoy may already have been over but the flood that the typhoon brought in Metro Manila had submerged some places up until this time. Residents of these flooded areas wherein the water didn't recede for weeks already that passed are especially at high risk and can contract the disease by swallowing contaminated water, splashing contaminated water into their eyes or nose, or exposing open wounds to infected water. The bacteria survive best in warm water (72 degrees F) that is stagnant.

Symptoms - Leptospirosis has two phases. After an incubation period of up to three weeks, the first phase begins with an acute illness of sudden headache, fever and chills, severe muscle aches, and skin rash appears. Up to 10 percent of infected patients develop a serious systemic form of the illness, called Weil's syndrome. This phase starts a few days after the fever drops; fever will return and bacteria may spread to the brain, causing meningitis. Other serious symptoms include jaundice, confusion, depression, or decreased urine. The kidneys are often affected, and liver damage is common. People infected with this potentially fatal form of leptospirosis are usually very ill and are often hospitalized. Leptospirosis is often mistaken for viral meningitis or hepatitis, but its two distinct phases separate it from those infections.

Please refer to quick reference table below to know more about the disease and how you can avoid it:

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE LEPTOSPIROSIS

LEPTOSPIROSIS is a rare bacterial infection that occurs when humans come into contact with water, wet soil or vegetation with animal urine or feces that contains leptospira. It is potentially fatal because it affects the liver.

There is a likelihood that you have leptospirosis if: You live in an area that is flooded You recently waded or swam in flood waters You have had high fever for 2 to 3 days Your fever is accompanied by body pains, chills, headaches, and red eyes (like sore eyes), jaundice (yellowing of the skin), decreased levels of urination, and when urine is tea-colored (a dark amber color) These symptoms occurred 10 days after you first waded in flood waters, wet soil or vegetation You are male (most cases of leptospirosis occur among males who are more likely to wade in floods) What to do if you suspect that you have leptospirosis: Seek medical help immediately Take prescribed antibitotics as early as possible to prevent the progression of the disease If the disease has affected your kidney, and there is a possibility of kidney failure, you will have to undergo dialysis

You can avoid leptospirosis by: Avoiding flooded areas and refraining from coming in contact with flood water. Wearing protective clothing like pants, rubber boots, gloves or rubber jumpsuits if you have to wade through floods. This can protect your skin from bacteria in the water. Washing with soap and water the parts of your body that have come into contact with flood water. Taking prophylactic medicines that prevent the onset of disease.

Source: ABS-CBN News