THE Department of Health (DOH) recorded 521 leptospirosis cases in public hospitals across Metro Manila as of Aug. 28, following flooding caused by the southwest monsoon.

DOH Undersecretary Dr. Gloria Balboa said the country recorded 5,486 leptospirosis cases from Jan. 4 to Aug. 26, a 23 percent decrease from the 7,163 cases reported during the same period last year.

Expected Case Surge and Hospital Strategies

Acting Health Secretary Edwin Mercado warned that cases may increase over the next two weeks due to the disease’s five- to 15-day incubation period.

Metro Manila recorded 1,171 cases from Aug. 18 to 26, prompting several hospitals to increase their capacity to accommodate patients.

 San Lazaro Hospital was treating 133 leptospirosis patients as of August 30 and activated emergency tents to handle the overflow. On the other hand, nurses and medical technologists from Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital were also deployed to reinforce operations. 

The DOH also established a step-down care system to transfer recovering patients from specialized hospitals such as the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), allowing critical equipment and dialysis units to remain available for severe cases.

In line with this, the DOH opened dedicated fast lanes in 33 government hospitals across affected regions, including the NCR, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), to accelerate triage, assessment, and treatment of incoming patients.

Public Health Guidance

DOH Assistant Secretary Lester Tan advised anyone who waded into floodwaters to seek medical evaluation within 24 to 48 hours, particularly if symptoms develop. “Ang maagang diagnosis at treatment sa loob po ng dalawang araw mula na magsimula ang mga sintomas ay makakatulong po upang maiwasan ang mga komplikasyon ng sakit at ang pagkaka-ospital.” Tan said.

The DOH said government health centers and hospitals have adequate supplies of post-exposure prophylactic antibiotics, including doxycycline, which should be taken under a doctor’s prescription.

Children are also at risk, with pediatric cases accounting for 29 percent of leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila. The DOH urged parents to prevent children from wading, swimming, or playing in floodwaters.

Veterinarian Dr. Zarah Rosuello, a public health expert, partner, and lead veterinarian in Vets in Practice Animal Hospital located in Alabang, likewise warned that dogs and cats can contract leptospirosis and potentially transmit the zoonotic disease to humans. 

“Deadly siya, hindi lang sa animals pero kahit sa tao… ang pinaka-importante na gagawin natin kung meron tayong mga alagang aso at pusa ay huwag natin silang pabayaan na lumabas ng ating bahay lalo na ngayong tag-ulan…”, she said.