Health advisory on Leptospirosis. Philippines

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Health advisory on LeptospirosisAugust 9, 2012

Cause:  Leptospira bacteria

Incubation Period:  7-10 days

Mode of Transmission:

• Entry of the leptospira bacteria through wounds when in contact with flood waters, 
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• vegetation, moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.

Signs and Symptoms:

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

Treatment:

• Antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician.
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• Early recognition and treatment within two days of illness to prevent complications of 
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• leptospirosis, so early consultation is advised.

Prevention and Control:

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