Cause:  Leptospira bacteria

Incubation Period:  7-10 days

Mode of Transmission:

• Entry of the leptospira bacteria through wounds when in contact with flood waters, vegetation, moist soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Fever
• Non-specific symptoms of muscle pain, headache
• Calf-muscle pain and reddish eyes fro some cases
• Severe cases result tot liver involvement, kidney failure or brain involvement.  Thus some cases may have yellowish body discoloration, dark-colored urine and light stools, low urine output, severe headache.

Treatment:

• Antibiotics duly prescribed by a physician.
• Early recognition and treatment within two days of illness to prevent complications of leptospirosis, so early consultation is advised.

Prevention and Control:

• Avoid swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water or flood water.
• Use of proper protection like boots and gloves when work requires exposure to contaminated water.
• Drain potentially contaminated water when possible.
• Control rats in the household by using rat traps or rat poison, maintaining cleanliness in the house.

LEPTOSPIROSIS NAKAMAMATAY!

• Iwasang lumangoy, lumusong at maglaro sa baha.
• Gumamit ng bota kung kailangang lumusong sa baha.
• Sumakay sa bangka or rubber boats kung aalis ng bahay.

Mga Palatandaan ng Leptospirosis:

• Lagnat
• Panginginig ng katawan o "Chills" 
• Pananakit ng ulo, binti, kalamnan at kasu-kasuan
• Pamumula ng mga mata
• Paninilaw ng balat
• Nahihirapang umihi

Kung may lagnat ng 2 araw, agad na komunsulta sa doktor.

Buhay ay mahalaga, huwag lumusong sa baha.