Push Admin

NKTI turns gym into ‘leptospirosis ward’ as cases rise

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3065425"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>MANILA — The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) said Friday it needed more staff following a rise in cases of leptospirosis, two weeks after parts of Metro Manila were submerged in floods from the Carina-enhanced monsoon rains. </p><p>The hospital’s gymnasium has been activated into a leptospirosis ward, where 90 percent of patients are said to be on dialysis – an indication of the advanced stage of the disease, according to NKTI’s Deputy Executive Director Dr. Romina Danguilan. </p><p>“Yesterday, we had 28 new patients with severe leptospirosis that came. That’s why we don’t have enough wards anymore. We still have to admit all our other patients needing other management. That’s why we have had to convert our gym into a lepto (leptospirosis) ward,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/8/8/67-leptospirosis-cases-recorded-in-second-half-of-july-dengue-cases-on-uptrend-doh-1123">67 leptospirosis cases recorded in second half of July; dengue cases ‘on uptrend’: DOH</a></div><p>In the last two weeks alone, Danguilan said two patients died from complications.</p><p>The NKTI expects the number of leptospirosis patients to increase as the rainy season brings more potential floods. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/7/25/doh-expects-rise-in-leptospirosis-cases-in-coming-weeks-amid-flooding-1525">DOH expects rise in leptospirosis cases in coming weeks amid flooding</a></div><p>“We already have this agreement with the DOH. I’m sure other hospitals are also going to be in need. We want to ask for augmentation for 20 staff nurses and 10 internal medicine doctors to help us to monitor these patients,” Danguilan said. </p><p>From July 14-27 – the period of relentless rain and flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas – the Department of Health logged 67 cases of the disease. It said cases could still increase due to delayed reports. </p><p>Since January, the agency has recorded 1,444 cases of leptospirosis, which is still 42 percent lower than the 2,505 cases from January to July 2023. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/24/doh-on-alert-due-to-bad-weather-warns-public-vs-leptospirosis-857">DOH on alert due to bad weather, reminds public about leptospirosis risk</a></div><p>Health experts have repeatedly warned the public to seek consultation following exposure to floodwater and take prophylaxis to avoid contracting the disease that can cause kidney failure, acute pancreatitis or lung hemorrhage.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/7/2/-change-in-behavior-crucial-to-fight-vs-dengue-leptospirosis-doh-exec-1438">&#x27;Change in behavior&#x27; crucial to fight vs dengue, leptospirosis: DOH exec</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The DOH urged the public to be mindful of the symptoms of leptospirosis, especially those who waded through flood or contaminated waters, including mud.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In an infographic, the DOH enumerated leptospirosis symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, body pain, chills, jaundice, rashes, and eye redness. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">&quot;Kung ikaw ay makaranas ng mga sintomas na nabanggit matapos mapunta sa kontaminadong tubig o putik, mahalagang magpatingin agad sa doctor o pumunta sa pinakamalapit na ospital upang makakuha ng angkop na gamutan,&quot; the agency said. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The incubation period of leptospirosis may range from 2 to 30 days. Symptoms usually appear around 1 to 2 weeks after exposure to flood waters, the agency said in a press release. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span id="isPasted" style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><strong>– With a report from Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News </strong></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The National Kidney and Transplant Institute needs more staff following a rise in cases of leptospirosis, two weeks after parts of Metro Manila were submerged in floods from the Carina-enhanced monsoon rains.</p>

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute needs more staff following a rise in cases of leptospirosis, two weeks after parts of Metro Manila were submerged in floods from the Carina-enhanced monsoon rains.