A total of 2,396 leptospirosis cases were recorded nationwide from June 8 to August 7, the Department of Health (DOH) bared on Monday, August 11. 

“Ang bilang natin… as of August 7 mula June 8–2,396 (Our count… as of August 7 from June 8 — 2,396),” DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said when asked about the latest number of leptospirosis cases in the country.

“Lilinawin ko po ito ‘no dahil malamang po sasabihin bakit iyong mga ospital kapag sinuma-total iyong mga numbers, parang mas mataas dito. Mayroon ho kasi tayong verification, iyong ospital as they come kahit suspect pa lang ho sila, hindi pa sila confirmed na leptospirosis, tinatala na kaagad (I want to clarify this because people might say that when hospitals total their numbers, it seems higher than ours. This is because we have a verification process, hospitals record cases right away as they come in, even if they are only suspected and not yet confirmed as leptospirosis),” he went on.

According to the DOH spokesperson, the most leptospirosis cases were recorded in Metro Manila, particularly in Quezon City, which has some of the country’s biggest public hospitals.

“Karaniwan sa Metro Manila talaga… iyong mga ospital sa Quezon City – si East Avenue, si NKTI… Quezon City is the largest LGU not only in Metro Manila but in the country by population size (Most are really in Metro Manila… the hospitals in Quezon City – East Avenue, NKTI… Quezon City is the largest LGU not only in Metro Manila but in the country by population size),” he said.

Domingo said all DOH hospitals follow a “surge” or “accordion” plan, which allows them to expand or reduce capacity depending on patient load. 

“Iyon pong accordion, kapag nakita po ninyo iyong musical instrument na iyon, kung kailangan siyang palakihin, hinahatak lumalaki; kung kailangang paliitin, pinapaliit (Like the musical instrument accordion, if it needs to be enlarged, you pull it open; if it needs to be reduced, you close it),” he stated.

He said this plan was implemented at the start of the leptospirosis spike, with Health Secretary Ted Herbosa ordering the discharge of non-emergency admissions to make room for more patients. 

Domingo added that hospitals like Amang Rodriguez brought in folding cots, while large gyms at the NKTI and East Avenue Medical Center were converted into clean, airy emergency wards.

The health department stressed that prevention remains key, especially with flood control projects. 

“Kapag walang baha, walang basura, walang lepto (If there’s no flood, no garbage, there’s no lepto),” said Domingo.

He urged residents who waded in floodwaters to seek medical consultation immediately, even without symptoms.

Earlier, the health department opened Leptospirosis Fast Lanes in 19 DOH hospitals to speed up treatment for people exposed to floodwaters.

The DOH said the fast lanes will give quick assessments to determine whether a patient needs admission or can be treated as an outpatient. 

The agency added that patients are evaluated for risk level and may be given prescriptions for proper doxycycline use. 

On August 4, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) reported that its ER was over capacity as it dealt with an influx of patients, among them leptospirosis cases.

Per the World Health Organization (WHO),  people can contract leptospirosis through direct exposure to the urine of infected animals or contaminated environments, with the bacteria entering the body via skin cuts, abrasions, or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the disease is caused by Leptospira bacteria, which are commonly found in polluted soil or water. 

It warned that if left untreated, leptospirosis can result in serious complications such as kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and death.

The CDC stated that the infection causes around one million cases and nearly 60,000 deaths globally each year.