Whenever the monsoon season starts in the Philippines, people go on hyperalert and start monitoring news feeds about water levels and flooding. But the danger from the landslides, floods, and the like in themselves is only one part of the story. Medical professionals and aid workers also have to worry about diseases people may be more likely to catch. One of these is leptospirosis, which is highly endemic in the Philippines.

If you live in a flood-prone area, it's vital that you learn about the disease so you can do your part to minimize your risk of infection as well as that of your family. Even if you don't, though, learning what you can and sharing information with others is still important. Here are 10 things you should know about leptospirosis.

(Photo by Matt Paish via Flickr Creative Commons)