Many causes of leptospirosis
EdwinT
25 Oct. 2011
Re: Leptospirosis on the upsurge anew
Leptospirosis is on the rise in Dagupan and Mangaldan. Typhoons have been given as a reason. Typhoons are NOT the major cause of this disease. It is only one of the reasons by creating the environment that Leptospira needs to thrive.
The following was taken from the encyclopedia of a major U.S. hospital chain. “Humans usually become infected (by Leptospirosis) through contact with water, food or soil containing urine from infected animals. The bacterium associated with the disease, Leptospira, can be found in the urine of many different animals, such as dogs, cats, cattle, horses, pigs, and, especially, rodents. The disease is transmitted to humans when infected urine enters the body when one swallows contaminated food or water or through breaks in the skin or contact with mucosal surfaces such as the eyes or nose. The disease is not known to be spread from person to person.”
This disease can only be exacerbated by the tolerance shown by cities and municipalities toward the owners of piggeries without proper sanitary animal waste disposal systems. It is against the law for these piggeries to operate in a residential area yet many continue to operate because the authorities are scared or don’t want to rock the boat. It took me a long time to get the powers that be to take action against a piggery that was being operated near my house.
There are two ways to fight Leptospirosis. First, educate the populace of the dangers of unsanitary conditions. Second and foremost, ensure that the authorities, be he/she a mayor or barangay captain, follow and enforce all laws pertaining to the existence of illegal piggeries or other unsanitary operations or conditions. The disease cannot thrive where there is no filth.
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