The City Health Office (CHO) has warned Davaoeños against water-borne diseases, specifically leptospirosis, as the rainy season is approaching.
The danger of leptospirosis is particularly high when flooding occurs as the waters are contaminated with animal urine, which according to the World Health Organization, is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
Thus, CHO head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte reminded everyone, especially the children, to avoid flood waters especially if they have cuts and abrasions on their feet and legs.
She also advised the public to wear protective clothing like boots, gloves, and masks if there is flood. After contact with flood, everyone is advised to wash as soon as possible.
“Also, if they have rats in their houses, plates, glasses and utensils must be properly washed before using them,” Villafuerte added.
For this year, CHO only recorded one case of leptospirosis in the city. Last year, the city also recorded one case.
Villafuerte explained that the recent victim was exposed to an infected animal urine and the family also admitted the presence of rodents in there house.
Villafuerte said that although the number of cases is not alarming, people must be cautious because this disease is deadly.
Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, muscle pain, headache, reddish eyes, chills, vomiting, diarrhea and rashes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these symptoms can occur very abruptly after contracting the disease.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Sciences Administration (Pagasa) recently clarified that the rain season have not officially started, despite heavy rain hit the city for the past few days.
