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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH opens leptospirosis fast lanes in 19 hospitals

DOH opens leptospirosis fast lanes in 19 hospitals

Published Aug 9, 2025 01:08 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
To speed up treatment for people exposed to floodwaters, the Department of Health (DOH) has opened Leptospirosis Fast Lanes in 19 DOH hospitals.
“Para sa mas mabilis na konsultasyon at gamutan ng mga nalubog sa baha, nagbukas ang Department of Health ng Leptospirosis Fast Lanes sa piling DOH hospitals (For faster consultation and treatment of those who were submerged in floodwaters, the Department of Health has opened Leptospirosis Fast Lanes in selected DOH hospitals),” the agency said.
The move comes as hospitals grapple with weather-related illnesses after days of heavy rain and flooding in Metro Manila. On August 4, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) said its Emergency Room (ER) was already over capacity due to a surge in patients, including leptospirosis cases.
According to the DOH, the fast lanes will provide quick assessments to determine whether a patient needs admission or can be treated as an outpatient. 
Patients are also evaluated for risk level and may be given prescriptions for proper doxycycline use, it added.
As of 10:00 a.m. on August 9, the following hospitals have operational fast lanes:
1. San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital
2. East Avenue Medical Center
3. Quirino Memorial Medical Center
4. Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium
5. Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital
6. Philippine Orthopedic Center
7. San Lazaro Hospital
8. Valenzuela Medical Center
9. Tondo Medical Center
10. Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
11. Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
12. Rizal Medical Center
13. Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
14. National Children’s Hospital
15. National Center for Mental Health
16. Lung Center of the Philippines
17. National Kidney and Transplant Institute
18. Philippine Children’s Medical Center
19. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
“Agad na kumonsulta sa doktor kung nalubog sa baha o putik dahil sa ulan (Immediately consult a doctor if you have been submerged in flood or mud due to rain),” the DOH reminded.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said humans can get infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or contaminated environments, with bacteria entering through cuts, abrasions, or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes. 
“Person-to-person transmission is rare,” it added.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) described leptospirosis as an infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria, often found in polluted soil or water. 
“Without treatment, leptospirosis in people can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing, and even death,” the CDC warned.
Per the CDC, about one million human cases occur worldwide each year, with nearly 60,000 deaths. 

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