3 die of ‘lepto’ due to floods in La Union

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The provincial health office here recently confirmed three persons died because of complications originating from their having been infected with the dreaded leptospirosis, which they contracted due to floods caused by the onslaught of Typhoon "Pepeng."

Two of the said leptospirosis victims reportedly came from Bawang town while the other fatality is a native of Bacnotan town.

The management of the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center here reported it had admitted 12 patients who had symptoms of leptospirosis after they were exposed to floodwaters.

Sven of the admitted patients were cleared while several others are still undergoing treatment for the disease.

With the onslaught of typhoon “Ramil” which brought heavy rains in northern Luzon, health authorities predicted an increase in number of leptospirosis cases once thousands of people living in low-lying and flood-prone communities will be exposed to contaminated floodwaters.

If leptospirosis patients will not be given immediate medical attention, the leptora bacteria will eventually attack the kidneys causing impairment on its functions, which eventually result in complications that will cause the patient’s death.

From the beginning, the leptospira bacteria attacks the kidneys resulting in immunologic complication, which causes the patient to become yellowish, an indication that the liver, one of the vital organs of the body, has been already affected.

If the patients submit themselves to early medical consultation, the complication of the kidneys could be prevented in a few days.

However, if the toxins brought by the leptospira bacteria could not be removed from the body immediately, aggressive management is needed but early consultation will prevent them from undergoing dialysis.

Health authorities here advised residents who experience abnormal conditions to seek medical attention. – Dexter A. See