The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the number of cases of leptospirosis and dengue in the country is increasing due to the onset of the rainy season and floods.
The DOH recorded 182 new cases or a 42% increase from June 18-July 1, from 128 recorded in the previous two weeks.
As of July 15, there were a total of 2,079 leptospirosis cases since January 1, and 225 deaths were recorded.
Region III continues to show an increase in cases over the last six weeks.
Cases also increased in Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions II, IV-A, IV-B, IX, X, XI, and Caraga with 7 to 53 new cases. While Region I has 9 new cases and 3 in Region V.
Symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, chills, headache and muscle pain, red eyes, vomiting and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Meanwhile, dengue cases also continued to increase, recording 9,486 or 16% higher compared to the past 2 weeks.
There are 80,318 dengue cases in the country as of July 15, expected to be even higher as reports come in.
Almost all regions have increased dengue cases except for Region II, BARMM, and Caraga.
Cases of dengue, leptospirosis increasing – DOH
There were 990 cases of severe dengue, while 299 died of the disease. About 40 of those who died had dengue without symptoms, according to the DOH.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue is transmitted to humans through the bite of female mosquitoes, mainly the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms last 2-7 days.
Although most dengue cases are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms, it can present as a severe, flu-like illness that affects infants, young children, and the elderly but rarely causes death.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Falcon is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Falcon is forecast track west northwestward and begin decelerating as it approaches the waters southeast of Okinawa Islands. On the track forecast, the typhoon may exit the PAR region this afternoon or evening. Afterward, the typhoon will pass south of Okinawa Islands between tonight and tomorrow morning. A period of slow movement may occur by Thursday over the East China Sea.
Falcon is potentially at its peak intensity at this time and likely to maintain its strength for the next 48 hours, although intensification into a super typhoon is not ruled out. A period of weakening may begin late tomorrow or on early Thursday as it enters the cooler waters of the East China Sea and as upwelling of deep ocean waters resulting from its slowdown limits further development.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.