Medical professionals attend to patients at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City on Monday, August 24, 2026. Health officials are closely tracking leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila and neighboring areas, anticipating a potential surge due to the disease's incubation period following widespread flooding caused by the southwest monsoon in recent weeks. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Following days of heavy rainfall that inundated parts of Quezon City, the local government said the number of leptospirosis cases has breached the epidemic threshold.
In a media forum Tuesday, Dr. Rolly Cruz of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division said 47 more cases were logged by city epidemiologists from September 4 to 7.
District 2, particularly Barangays Commonwealth and Batasan, as well as Tatalon in District 4, are said to be areas most affected by leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis is a deadly disease caused by bacteria found in rat urine. It can enter the body through open wounds and mucous membranes and has an incubation period of two days to one month.
So far, the city has logged 738 leptospirosis this year.
“Mas mataas ito ng 29 percent kumpara sa kaparehong panahon noong 2025,” Cruz said.
Manila leptospirosis cases hit 'epidemic' levels
He said the city has logged 47 deaths from the illness.
An epidemic threshold means that the number of infections of a particular illness has surpassed the expected number of cases during a specific period.
“Sa Quezon City, as of week 32 to present, above epidemic threshold na tayo,” Cruz said.
Despite this, the local health official sees the “tail end” of high infections with an average of 16 daily cases. Unlike other medical facilities, admissions at local government hospitals are also said to be more manageable and not experiencing bed shortages.
NKTI adds more beds as leptospirosis cases rise
Cruz said the city’s plan is to proactively find those who could develop or were already experiencing symptoms especially since the 72-hour period for prophylaxis, to prevent catching the zoonotic disease, had passed.
'Don’t wait for the symptoms': DOH urges early consultations vs leptospirosis after flood exposure
As the southwest monsoon continues to bring potentially heavy rainfall, experts remind the public to avoid wading through floodwaters and take post-exposure prophylaxis to avoid contracting the disease.
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