An individual wades through floodwaters along España Boulevard in Manila following heavy rains on August 17, 2026. Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA (UPDATE) — A senior official of the Department of Health on Thursday sounded the alarm over a fresh spike of leptospirosis cases in the country following severe habagat rains that spawned floods in Luzon last month.
Health authorities are closely monitoring a "significant increase" of leptospirosis cases following the recent flooding, said Dr. Marc Steven Capungcol, chief of the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau.
Expert sees second wave of leptospirosis surge by next week
During the August 2 to 29 period, the health agency recorded a 77-percent increase of leptospirosis cases from the previous two weeks, Capungcol said.
From January to August 29, the DOH Epidemiology Bureau tallied at least 6,253 leptospirosis cases nationwide with 378 deaths, he said.
He noted that the cases were about 12 percent lower compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila logged at least 1,961 cases of the bacterial disease, he said, adding that the City of Manila and Quezon City had the "highest cumulative number of cases" followed by Caloocan and Taguig.
"Several cities in NCR have repeatedly crossed their epidemic thresholds," Capungcol warned.
"So our response is also targeted according to where the burden and the risk are highest."
'WAG TAYONG MAGPAKAMPANTE'
In the Philippines, leptospirosis is usually contracted following exposure to floods contaminated with urine from infected animals like rats.
It can be prevented or treated using antibiotics like doxycycline prescribed by a doctor.
Individuals who had exposure to potentially contaminated floods and experiencing fever, muscle and joint pains and headaches are advised to consult a physician.
Health Undersecretary Gloria Balboa advised the public to avoid wading through floodwaters whenever possible and urged individuals who need to enter flooded areas to use personal protective equipment such as boots and waders.
She cautioned against complacency as weather conditions improve, noting that the country could again experience flooding due to storms this month.
Around 600,000 doses of doxycycline have been prepositioned across 17 local government units, according to the DOH.
Leptospirosis beds are still available in several hospitals, the health department said.
It noted however that East Avenue Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute were already operating at a full capacity.
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