The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 6,253 leptospirosis cases nationwide this year, with infections showing a sharp increase in the latest monitoring period despite remaining below last year’s total.
The cases recorded from Jan. 4 to Aug. 29 were 12% lower than the 7,084 cases logged during the same period in 2025, according to DOH data. The disease has also caused 378 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 6.05%.
DOH Undersecretary Gloria Balboa said seven regions are being monitored for increases in cases compared with the same period last year. These are Soccsksargen, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, Negros Island Region, Bicol Region and Cagayan Valley.
More intense monitoring is being conducted in the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region.
The latest two week data showed 824 leptospirosis cases from Aug. 2 to 15, a 77% increase from the 465 cases recorded from July 19 to Aug. 1.
The DOH expects cases to potentially rise further following recent flooding because leptospirosis is commonly transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. The disease has an incubation period of five to 15 days.
Balboa said hospitals are being monitored and patients are being referred or transferred to facilities with available capacity, particularly those requiring dialysis and higher level care.
As of 6 p.m. Sept. 3, the 20 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila had 602 beds available for leptospirosis patients, including 260 additional surge beds. A total of 562 beds were occupied.
The DOH has also augmented affected areas with 1.2 million capsules of doxycycline for prophylaxis. Another 2.6 million capsules remain in stock across Centers for Health Development, while 40,812 capsules are available in DOH retained hospitals and medical centers in Metro Manila.
Balboa said the public should seek medical attention after floodwater exposure, particularly if symptoms develop. The disease can progress quickly and may cause severe complications involving the liver and kidneys.
The DOH is also monitoring other diseases that have shown recent increases despite lower year to date totals.
Acute bloody diarrhea cases reached 6,456, down 32% from 9,520 during the same period last year. However, cases increased 15% in the latest monitoring period, with 411 cases from Aug. 2 to 15 compared with 358 previously.
Cholera cases fell 67% year to date to 428 from more than 1,283 in 2025, although the latest two week count rose 40% to 28 from 20.
Typhoid fever cases declined 41% to 10,708 from 18,014 last year. The latest monitoring period recorded 590 cases, down 20% from 740 previously.
Influenza like illnesses totaled 86,113, a 22% decline from 110,978 cases last year. Recent cases, however, rose 7% to 5,847 from 5,450.
Dengue cases also remained lower year to date at 128,634, down 39% from 209,631 in 2025. The latest monitoring period recorded a 9% increase to 15,763 from 14,409.
The DOH said Bicol Region, Davao Region and the National Capital Region are among the areas showing rising trends in some of the monitored diseases.
Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s Medical Center
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