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TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 19  -- The Department of Health (DOH) here has warned the public against the threat of leptospirosis as flooding continues to plague many areas in Eastern Visayas region due to heavy rains.

DOH regional chief of epidemiology and surveillance unit Roderick Boyd Cerro told the public to avoid wading in floodwaters.

Heavy rains caused an abrupt rise in rivers and other waterways, inundating heavily populated communities in Leyte and Samar provinces. The situation has raised the health department’s concern that people may develop leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a disease contracted when floodwaters, vegetation, or moist soil are contaminated with the bacteria called leptospira, commonly spread through infected urine or feces of rats.

“We are reminding people not to wade in floodwaters. But if it cannot be avoided, one should wear protective gear such as boots and gloves,” Cerro said.

The official also asked the public to drain potentially contaminated water when possible, control rats in the household by using traps or poison, and maintain cleanliness in the house.

In 2017, at least 11 people died due to leptospirosis in the region, according to DOH. Fatalities were recorded during rainy seasons last year.

Symptoms include fever, chills, red eyes, jaundice, muscle pain, severe headache and little urine production.

“We have prepositioned antibiotics in rural health units for flood-prone communities and local health workers are trained on what kind of medicines are needed for different categories of exposure,” Cerro added.

People who developed fever two days after wading in floodwaters are advised to immediately go to the nearest health center or consult a doctor to avoid complications. (SQM/PNA)