The Department of Health is launching a 3-year anti-leptospirosis campaign to educate the public and prevent the spread of the disease. The campaign will provide free medical checkups, treatment, and seminars in local communities about leptospirosis symptoms and prevention. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through contact with infected animal urine and contaminated water. It affects many parts of the Philippines and has caused over 2,000 cases and 140 deaths so far this year. The campaign aims to improve sanitation and hygiene practices to control rodents that carry the disease.

1. Department of Health
Anti-Leptospirosis Campaign
The Department Of Health Anti-Leptospirosis Campaign is organizing groups at every
locality that will educate its residents on how to avoid this epidemic. This anti-leptospirosis
campaign will give free check-up and medication to the leptospirosis
victims and will conduct seminars about leptospirosis to give knowledge about
leptospirosis - its symptoms, possible treatments, and ways to avoid the spread of this
bacterial infection.
Leptospirosis, also known as “rat-urine fever” in some countries, is transmitted by the
urine of an infected animal and is contagious as long as it is still moist. Although rats,
mice and other rodents are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals
including dogs, deer, rabbits, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and pigs also carry and transmit
the disease as secondary hosts. Humans get infected through skin contact with water or
soil containing urine from infected animals or consuming contaminated food or water.
The disease is not known to be spread from human to human. Leptospirosis is still
widely overlooked and underreported. One of the possible reasons for this is that the
clinical features are non-specific, with signs and symptoms similar to those seen in
many other infectious diseases. Furthermore, confirmation of leptospirosis requires
laboratory tests that are not always available and rapid diagnostic tests are not reliable.
Leptospirosis is an emerging public health problem in a number of countries of South-
East Asia (SEA) region. Most countries in the SEA region are endemic to leptospirosis.
Philippines have also been subjected to this plague due to flooding. Nationwide, 2,084
leptospirosis cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Oct. 5 this year with 141 deaths. As
DOH finds the answer towards this leptospirosis outbreak, they primarily put up an anti-leptospirosis
campaign that will help to elevate the Filipino victims of this disease.
Furthermore Leptospirosis outbreak hit Olongapo City after the massive flooding last
month brought by southwest monsoon rain. That brought with 11 fatalities. 80 percent
of those who were infected by the disease caused by the urine of infected animals,
particularly rats, were males because they were the ones who waded in flood waters
during the height of the weather disturbance in Zambales.
The Department of Health with the cooperation of municipalities will make a 3 year
program for anti-leptospirosis campaign. This will make the public servants as well as
volunteer nurses and doctors together with the residents to participate to the said
activity. This will start to the places which have the largest population of leptospirosis
victims. The program will give free check up not only to the victims but also to the
possible carrier of the disease. Immediate medication to the patients will be given. The
3 year program promotes cleanliness among slum areas thus making their program with

2. 3 session seminars for every municipality. The three session seminars will be as
follows.
First day seminar:
KNOWLEDGE
Leptospirosis background:
Leptospirosis is a type of bacterial infection spread by animals. It is caused by a strain
of bacteria called leptospira.
In 90% of cases, leptospirosis only causes mild flu-like symptoms, such as headache,
chills and muscle pain.
However, in some cases the infection is more severe and can cause life-threatening
problems, including organ failure and internal bleeding. In its most severe form,
leptospirosis is also known as Weil's disease.
The common mild symptoms mean that most leptospirosis infections are hard to
diagnose. Diagnosis is easier if the infection causes more serious problems.
A detailed history of places you have been and any animals you have been in contact
with can help with a diagnosis.
Why does leptospirosis happen?
Leptospirosis is spread to humans by animals.
You can catch leptospirosis by touching soil or water contaminated with the urine of wild
animals infected with the leptospira bacteria.
Animals known to be carriers of the leptospira bacteria include cattle, pigs, dogs and
rodents, particularly rats.
Although the condition is uncommon in the UK, people who regularly deal with animals,
such as farmers and vets, have a higher risk of developing leptospirosis.
You may also be at a higher risk if you frequently come into contact with sources of
freshwater, such as rivers and lakes. This might be because of your occupation or
through taking part in recreational activities such as water sports and fishing.
Transmission between humans is incredibly rare.
2nd day seminar
ACTION

3. TREATMENT OF LEPTOSPIROSIS
Leptospirosis is usually treated with a course of antibiotics, although their
effectiveness has not been conclusively proven.
Most cases of leptospirosis are mild and can be successfully treated with a five to
seven-day course of antibiotic tablets. Penicillin or a tetracycline antibiotic called
doxycycline are the preferred choices.
Common side effects of antibiotics include:
 indigestion
 diarrhea
 nausea
 vomiting
These side effects should pass once you complete the course of antibiotics. An
alternative antibiotic, such as erythromycin, can also be used.
It is very important that you finish the prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you are
feeling better. This is because stopping treatment before all of the bacteria have been
killed may trigger the return of a more serious infection.
Painkillers that are available over the counter, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be
used to help relieve symptoms such as headache, high temperature and muscle pain.
Severe leptospirosis
If you develop a more severe leptospirosis infection, you will need to be admitted to
hospital. The underlying infection will be treated with intravenous antibiotics (antibiotics
that are injected directly into the bloodstream).
If you have experienced organ damage, additional equipment may be required to
support the functions of your body. For example:
 a ventilator to assist your breathing
 dialysis, which is where the functions of your kidneys are artificially replicated by
removing waste materials from your blood
 intravenous fluids to restore the fluids and nutrients in your body
The amount of time that you will need to spend in hospital will depend on how well you
respond to the antibiotics and the extent of any organ damage. Some people may be

4. well enough to leave hospital within a few weeks, while others may require several
months of hospital care.
3rd day seminar
PREVENTION
How can we prevent leptospirosis?
1. Limit your exposure to freshwater sources, such as rivers, ponds or lakes. If you
are unable to avoid these, you should ensure you wear adequate protective
clothing.
2. Avoid areas of stagnant water.
3. Always wear boots if there’s flood.
4. Cleanliness
5. Rodent control
Considering the fact that rodents are the major reservoirs of pathogenic leptospira.
Hence controlling these reservoir species with proper strategy planning will reduce the
incident of the disease in the affected areas. The strategy planning should cover the
following:
Identify the reservoir species of affected area
Delineate areas for anti rodent activities
Limit the operations to pre monsoon months
Adopt appropriate technology for anti rodent operations which
includes correct inputs and appropriate application technology.
Capacity building among all involved personal and
Create awareness among public to bring community
involvement.

5.  Thus this free seminars , check up and medications will be first given to the ff.
area of Olongapo City:
Location / Barangays Date
Barangay Asinan September 13-15
Barangay Banicain September 16-18
Barangay Kalalake September 19-21
Barangay West Bajac-Bajac September 22-24
Barangay Sta.Rita September 25-27
Barangay Pag-Asa September 28-30
*Other schedules will be posted as soon as the meeting with other municipality officials is done.
The program will help the victims as well as the possible victims of leptospirosis. This
activity will initiate cleanliness among community therefore not only the inhabitants will
benefit but also the community upon having a clean neighborhood.
The project needed the 2 % of the total budget of department of health and financial
assistance from other localities. Financial support among private individuals can also be
suggested.
In any case you have any questions ,suggestions, or assistance you may visit us thru
this website:
www.DOHantileptospirosiscampaign.com or contact us in telephone nos. 237-8888-
8888 and 237-8798-5647