4 January 2012, Manila and Bangkok — An outbreak of the deadly
bacteria Leptospirosis has highlighted the dramatic and ongoing
needs of the tens of thousands of people in northern Mindanao
who were displaced and affected by Typhoon Washi. According to
health authorities, 128 cases have been confirmed with a further
200 suspected. Four people have died. Leptospirosis is an
infection caused by bacteria found in the urine of infected
animals, especially rats. It typically infects humans through
wounds or broken skin that come in contact with contaminated
flood waters, vegetation, or moist soil. It can cause headaches,
muscle and eye pain, fevers and chills, and vomiting. In serious
cases in can lead to meningitis, liver damage (causing
jaundice), and renal failure. “This outbreak highlights again
how precarious the lives of many people in northern Mindanao
are,” said Richard Gordon, the Chairman of the Philippine Red
Cross. “There are tens of thousands of people who have now spent
two and a half weeks in crowded