Philippines raises alert against disease in flood-hit cities

Jan 3, 2012, 9:14 GMT

Manila - Philippine health authorities on Tuesday raised the alert against a deadly flood-borne disease in two southern cities devastated by floods that killed more than 1,200 people last month.

The Department of Health said 11 people died from leptospirosis in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan since floods triggered by Tropical Storm Washi hit on December 17.

Nearly 200 people were also infected by the disease also known as seven-day fever or Rat Catcher's Yellows, the department said.

Leptospirosis is a life-threatening bacterial infection acquired when water contaminated by animal urine, usually rats, comes into contact with breaks in the skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

The infection could trigger kidney, liver and brain damage that could be fatal.

Health Undersecretary Romulo Busuego said health teams were giving treatment to residents in the affected communities and evacuation centres to prevent further spread of the disease.

At least 1,154 people were killed in floods that wiped out entire villages in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Another 105 people died in floods and landslides in other southern and central provinces.