People wade through a flooded street after heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon in Pampanga on August 31, 2026. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP
MANILA — Leptospirosis caused fewer deaths this year compared to last year, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
DOH Undersecretary Gloria Balboa said there have been 277 deaths from January 4 to August 22, 2026, which is 62 percent fewer than the 725 deaths during the same period last year.
She also said the leptospirosis cases from January to August 2026 decreased by 37 percent compared to the number of cases in the same period last year.
The cases increased, though, by 29 percent from July to August 2026. There are 459 leptospirosis cases in the country since July 12.
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Balboa said DOH is intensifying its information campaign against leptospirosis and is increasing the distribution of doxycycline.
“Sinasabi nga po natin pag sila ay lumusong sa baha pumunta na ho sa ating pinakamalapit na health center. Pero kung hindi ho makapunta doon mayroon din po ang ating mga YAKAP centers or clinics,” Balboa said during the DOH’s briefing before the Senate Committee on Finance for its proposed 2027 budget.
“Meron iba po kagaya sa NCR na meron na po silang distribution sites sa mga schools, sa mga churches at saka sa mga malls kaya mas ma-access na po ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.
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