Leptospirosis cases surge; dengue infections drop

National

NEARLY 12,000 Filipinos have been reported infected with leptospirosis this year, marking a 46 percent increase from last year, even as dengue cases have dropped by 30 percent, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

DOH data showed 11,965 leptospirosis cases nationwide as of Sept. 23, up from 8,189 infections recorded during the same period last year.

The latest monitoring period showed a slight decline, with 3,284 infections recorded from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9, compared with 3,330 cases from Aug. 6 to 19.

The DOH said the one percent decrease could indicate that the current rise may be easing, although reporting delays could affect the figures.

The cumulative case fatality rate for leptospirosis stood at 5.08 percent, down from 10.53 percent during the same period last year. The DOH urged people exposed to floodwaters to seek medical advice, whether or not they have symptoms.

Dengue cases, meanwhile, remained below last year’s levels. The country recorded 168,060 infections this year, 30 percent lower than the 239,001 cases reported during the same period last year.

Recent figures showed a different trend, however, with 21,122 dengue cases recorded over the latest three- to four-week period, an eight percent increase from the 19,572 cases reported during the preceding five to six weeks.

Dengue deaths also fell to 656 from 910 last year, a 28 percent decrease. Of this year’s fatalities, 312, or 48 percent, involved patients clinically classified as having severe dengue. Students were identified as the most affected population.(MyTVCebu)