Leptospirosis

What?

is Leptospirosis

How?

to prevent it

What is Leptospirosis?

is caused by the Leptospira bacteria The disease can come from rats, cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and wild animals It is a “rainy season disease”

How do people get infected?

exposure to flood waters, vegetation, or moist soil which has been contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats The LEPTOSPIRO BACTERIA --- can enter your body through wounds or cuts in the skin ---can enter when you swallow infected water or food

Symptoms of Leptospirosis

After 4 to 14 days exposure to contaminated floodwater or mud, you might see these flu-like symptoms:

•

Fever

• • •

Chills Musce pain Intense headache you should also check for these symptoms:

•

Red eyes

• • •

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) Tea colored urine Difficulty of urination

Complications Due To Leptospirosis • • •

Meningitis Renal failure Respiratory distress These might even lead to death.

What to do: Treatment •

Antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician.

•

Early recognition and treatment within two days of illness to prevent complications

•

Early consultation is advised.

What to do: Prevention and Control •

Avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water.

•

Control rats in the household by using rat traps or rat poison, maintaining cleanliness in the house.

Leptospirosis Alert: • • • •

For medical emergencies please contact : HELP RESCUE 411 LANDLINE: 74111 SMART 0999-9990-411 GLOBE 0917-7040411

Data Source: Department of Health Conceptualized by: Kelly Ramos-Palaganas Sol Paeste-Mosqueda Funded by: Annie Cabigting Produced by: BALAI GLOBAL RELIEF OPERATION CENTER www.balaiglobal.wordpress.com