By Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce The Department of Health (DOH) is warning the public against water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A. Department of Health (Manila Bulletin) In an advisory issued today, the DOH said: “Typhoons and heavy rains may cause flooding which, in turn, can potentially increase the transmission of water-borne diseases, or diseases transmitted through water contaminated with human or animal waste.” These diseases include typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A. Typhoid fever Typhoid fever, which is also known as enteric fever, is an infectious disease caused by bacteria known as Salmonella typhi. “It spreads through contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who is infected,” the health department stated. The illness is characterized by high- and low-grade fever for several days, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, either diarrhea or constipation, and abdominal discomfort. Cholera Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. “The infection causes a profuse, painless, watery diarrhea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given,” the agency noted. In extreme cases, cholera is a rapidly deadly disease. To note, a healthy individual may die within two to three hours if no treatment is provided. Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by rats through urine and feces. “It can contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation. It is caused by Leptospira spirochetes bacteria,” the DOH said. “Its mode of transmission includes ingesting contaminated food or water, or when broken skin or open wounds are exposed to floodwaters,” it added. Hepatitis A  Hepatitis A, which is “one of the oldest diseases known to humankind”, is an infectious disease and caused by Hepatitis A virus. “The most common mode of transmission is ingestion of food contaminated with human waste and urine of persons who have Hepatitis A. Its symptoms usually include fever, flu-like symptoms such as weakness, muscle and joint aches, loss of appetite and dizziness,” the department disclosed. Other symptoms may be so mild that they go unnoticed, it furthered.