The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 5,486 leptospirosis cases nationwide this year and warned that infections may continue to rise in the next two weeks following recent rains and flooding.

During a press briefing on Friday, Aug. 28, DOH Undersecretary Gloria Balboa said the cases were recorded from Jan. 4 to Aug. 26, 2026. 

She noted that the figure was 23 percent lower than the 7,163 cases logged during the same period last year.

“Base sa aming datos mula Jan. 4 hanggang Aug. 26, 2026, nakapagtala na po ang DOH ng 5,486 na kaso ng leptospirosis sa bansa, na mas mababa ng 23 percent kumpara sa 7,163 na kaso noong nakaraang taon sa parehong period po (Based on our data from Jan. 4 to Aug. 26, 2026, the DOH recorded 5,486 leptospirosis cases nationwide, 23 percent lower than the 7,163 cases logged during the same period last year),” she said.

The health department identified the National Capital Region (NCR), Region II, and Region III as the regions with the highest number of cases.

According to Balboa, the DOH is closely monitoring areas in Metro Manila with elevated case numbers.

“Nakita natin nitong August 27, as of yesterday po, 521 na ang pasyente na naitala rito sa Metro Manila, at 158 po rito ay nasa San Lazaro Hospital (As of yesterday, Aug. 27, we recorded 521 patients here in Metro Manila, 158 of whom were at San Lazaro Hospital),” she said.

DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado said the agency expects more cases to emerge because leptospirosis symptoms may develop days after exposure to contaminated floodwater.

“Inaasahan po ang pagdami ng kaso sa susunod na dalawang linggo matapos ang pag-ulan at pagbaha. Kaya ngayon, patuloy na pinaiigting ng DOH ang aming surveillance (We expect cases to increase in the next two weeks following the rains and flooding. The DOH is therefore continuously strengthening its surveillance),” he said.

The DOH chief assured the public that the agency’s facilities would remain operational and adequately supplied amid the increase in cases.

Likewise, he noted that the health department opened leptospirosis fast lanes in 33 DOH hospitals across affected regions to facilitate the immediate assessment and treatment of patients.

“Binuksan na rin natin ‘yung mga leptospirosis fast lane. Ito po ay nandoon sa ating 33 DOH hospitals, doon po sa affected regions (We have also opened leptospirosis fast lanes in our 33 DOH hospitals in the affected regions),” said Mercado.

“Dito po ay agarang tutugunan ang pasyente dahil kapag may sintomas nang nilalagnat, nagkakaroon po ng pagmamanas, at nahihirapan nang umiihi (Patients will be immediately attended to because symptoms may include fever, swelling, and difficulty urinating),” he added.

Mercado said the DOH convened a command conference on Aug. 25 to strengthen coordination among its hospitals in handling leptospirosis patients.

“Kaya nga po doon, tuloy-tuloy na ang koordinasyon ng DOH hospitals para sa referral ng mga pasyente. Nakikipag-ugnayan na rin po tayo sa mga LGU at city health offices (The coordination among DOH hospitals for patient referrals is continuing. We are also coordinating with local government units and city health offices),” he said.

Balboa urged people who had waded through floodwater to immediately visit the nearest health center, regardless of whether they had wounds or were experiencing symptoms.

“Kung sila po ay lumusong sa baha, may sugat man o wala, at may sintomas man o wala, ay dapat pumunta na sa pinakamalapit na health center para maagapan at mabigyan ng tamang advice ng ating health workers (Those who waded through floodwater, whether or not they have wounds or symptoms, should visit the nearest health center for prompt intervention and proper advice from our health workers),” she said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), leptospirosis is a bacterial disease affecting humans and animals that can be contracted through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or contaminated surroundings. 

The bacteria may enter the body through broken skin or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes, while person-to-person transmission rarely occurs.