PERENNIAL flooding and poor sanitation significantly contributed to the spike in leptospirosis cases across the country as the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday logged 5,486 patients diagnosed with the deadly leptospirosis.
According to the DOH, the figure which covers the last seven months, remains comparatively lower than the number of cases recorded for the same period last year.
However, the health agency warned of an imminent increase in leptospirosis cases in the coming weeks in view of potential floods due to the inclement weather condition embarking on rains.
Citing the agency’s data, DOH Undersecretary Gloria Balboa said that the current leptospirosis tally of 5,486 from January to August 27 is 23% lower than the 7,163 cases during the same time period in 2025.
Balboa assured that the DOH is continuously monitoring several regions with the highest number of leptospirosis cases. To date, the Cordillera Administrative Region logged the highest number of leptospirosis cases at 542, followed by Metro Manila at 521, then Central Luzon at 391 as of August 22.
“Binuksan na rin natin yung leptospirosis fast lane, ito po ay nandoon sa 33 DOH hospitals nandoon sa apektadong regions,” DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado told reporters in a press conference.
These hospitals were in the Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the National Capital Region.
San Lazaro Hospital previously recorded a spike in leptospirosis cases, with the emergency room operating at 300% to 500% of its capacity.
To augment the manpower, some hospitals have offered to take in mild-case patients from crowded hospitals, even as Balboa claimed that they’re keeping track of bed capacities across health centers.
“May sugat man o wala, at may sintomas man o wala, ay dapat po na pumunta na sa pinakamalapit na health center para maagapan at mabigyan ng tamang advice ng ating mga health workers,” Balboa averred.
