PHILIPPINE HEALTH ADVISORIES

What you should know about Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis
is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, such as rodents and other vermin. Waste products (e.g., urine and feces) of an infected animal, especially rats, contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation.

Cause
Leptospira spirochetes bacteria

Mode of Transmission
Ingesting contaminated food or water or when broken skin or open wounds and mucous membrane (eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth) come in contact with contaminated water (usually flood water) or soil (Incubation period of bacteria is 7-10 days.)

Signs and Symptoms

• - Fever
• - Non-specific symptoms of muscle pain, headache
• - Calf-muscle pain and reddish eyes in some cases
• - Severe cases resulting in liver involvement, kidney failure, or brain involvement (Thus some cases may have yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine and light stools, low urine output, severe headache.)

Treatment

• - Take antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician.
• - Early recognition and treatment within
• - 2 days of illness prevents complications of leptospirosis, so early consultation is advised.

Prevention and Control

• - Avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water..
• - Use proper protection, like boots and gloves, when work requires exposure to contaminated water.
• - Drain potentially contaminated water when possible.
• - Control rodents in the household by using rat traps or rat poison and maintaining cleanliness in the house.

References:

• - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Leptospirosis. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/
• - Cunha, John P. (2011). Leptospirosis). Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/leptospirosis/article.htm
• - DOH Philippines. (2012). Health Advisory on Leptospirosis.Image from http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20091025met2.