Leptospirosis outbreak threatens capital

Leptospirosis outbreak threatens capital

Rendi A. Witular
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

Health officials have sounded a warning over the rise in
Jakarta residents who have tested positive for leptospirosis-
causing bacterium in flood-hit areas, which have so far claimed
the lives of eight people.

The deputy head of the City Health Agency, Wandaningsih, told
The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that 21 people had been diagnosed
with leptospirosis, and officials were concerned about a possible
outbreak of the disease in the next two months.

She said that the agency was in the process of gathering more
data on the possible outbreak of leptospira interrogans, a
corkscrew-shaped bacteria.

"We are still gathering data on whether there is a possible
outbreak, specifically in those areas that were hit by floods. We
have alerted the city's 267 community health centers on the
dangers of the disease and provided them with medicine," she
said.

Eight people among the 21 diagnosed with leptospirosis died
within one month after the outbreak first occurred, while four
are being treated at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) and
Tarakan Hospital in Central Jakarta.

One patient, Suhandi, 41, is listed in serious condition at
Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital after doctors said he was infected
with the bacteria on Feb. 18. He tested positive for the bacteria
on Feb. 26 after a five-day blood test was conducted.

Suhandi, who lives in Kampung Menteng Jaya in the Menteng
subdistrict, has been hospitalized the longest for leptospirosis
at the hospital.

A doctor asking for anonymity said leptospirosis had affected
Suhandi's pancreas, causing a severe infection. He said he would
consult with other doctors in divisions that specialize in
tropical diseases and the digestive system.

Suhandi was brought to the community health center in his
district when he showed the first signs of the disease. After
there was no response from three days of treatment, he was
brought by his family to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Suhandi's skin was yellow with
jaundice. He also had red eyes, a high body temperature and was
experiencing sharp pain in both of his calves.

The head of the City Health Agency, A.Chalik Masulili, said
earlier on Tuesday that leptospirosis was spread through the
urine of rats whose habitat was destroyed by the floods. The
bacteria could infect anyone with open wounds who came into
contact with contaminated water or garbage.

The bacteria can also enter the body when a person swallows
contaminated food or water, including water swallowed during
water sports.

Most of those who are infected with leptospirosis are mildly
to moderately affected with symptoms that include fever,
headaches, chills, nausea and vomiting, inflammation of the eyes
and muscle aches. In more severe cases, the illness can result in
liver damage and jaundice, kidney failure and internal bleeding.