Four infected with leptospirosis in Dagupan die
FOUR out of currently recorded seven leptospirosis cases in Dagupan City died.
In an interview with Dr. Ophelia Rivera, Dagupan City Health Officer, on Wednesday, August 16, she said the 7 cases were recorded after the week-long floodwaters in the city receded, and the 3 patients died as they were getting late medical attention in their critical stages.
“Itinakbo lang sila kung kailan matindi na yung sintomas nila”, said Rivera.
Rivera urged the public to seek immediate medical attention for persons suspected of having symptoms of leptospirosis.
The US-Center for Disease Control (US-CDC) said the time between a person’s exposure to a contaminated source and becoming sick is 2 days to 4 weeks. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever and other symptoms.
The symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rashes.
Rivera said these symptoms could be typically mistaken for other diseases, which is why early diagnosis is important.
Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, and other complications, and worse, death.
In 2022, only one case was recorded to have died – a 39-year-old garbage collector from Barangay Pantal.
She said leptospirosis is a bacterial illness caused by the bacteria of the genus Leptospira in contaminated water, that drinking or bathing in contaminated water can infect persons as well. (Ahikam Pasion)
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