Metro Manila, Philippines – There is an uptick in leptospirosis cases at the government-run National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) from floods in the aftermath of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday, Aug. 9.
In a post on X, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the NKTI listed 48 leptospirosis cases, including 37 on hemodialysis.
“This outbreak was predicted after many Filipinos carelessly waded and played in floodwaters! Again, all flood waters are dirty and high risk for getting infected by the Leptospira bacteria,” he said.
Leptospirosis is a disease contracted from the leptospira bacteria, which comes from the urine of rats, horses, dogs, pigs, and other animals.
Given the spike in leptospirosis cases at the NKTI, the Health Department encouraged people with suspected leptospirosis to seek medical assistance from “nearby equally capable hospitals.”
The DOH advised leptospirosis patients in Metro Manila to reach out to the following numbers for referral:
- DOH Metro Manila Center for Health Development – (02) 8531-0037; (0920) 283-2758
- DOH central hotline – (0917) 837-0631
Based on DOH latest figures, 1,444 cases of leptospirosis were logged from Jan. 1 to July 27. This is 42 percent lower than the same period in 2023. In addition, 162 died from the disease.
The Health Department assured the public that it is “continually assessing the clinical, epidemiologic, and logistics situation to effectively respond to the anticipated rise in Leptospirosis” cases.
NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.
