The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 4,285 leptospirosis cases nationwide from January to August 22 this year, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado said Tuesday, as infections rose following heavy rains and flooding.
In a DZRH's Damdaming Bayan interview, Mercado said the number of cases rose by 29% from July 26 to August 8 compared with the same period last year, coinciding with the height of flooding and rains in several areas.
Despite the recent increase, Mercado said the cumulative number of cases remains 37% lower than last year.
“Kumpara noong nakaraang taon mas mababa naman 37% lower,” Mercado said.
”Sa kasalukuyan up to August 22, ay may 4,285 cases na tayo. Noong nakaraang dalawang linggo mula July 26 hanggang August 8 ay medyo sumisipa kasi ‘yun ang kasagsagan ng baha nung pag-ulan. So, ito ay tumaas ng 29% kumpara noong nakaraang taon,” he added.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted through the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. People may become infected when they come into contact with contaminated water or soil, especially during floods.
Mercado said the DOH will hold a command meeting Tuesday afternoon with hospitals in affected areas, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Regions 1 and 3, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon, to consolidate data on leptospirosis cases.
He also acknowledged the strain on hospitals amid the surge in cases.
San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, which has been treating a large number of leptospirosis patients, is operating at up to 500% of its emergency room capacity, according to Mercado.
The hospital has allocated 120 beds for leptospirosis patients, he said.
Mercado added that the DOH has activated the Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB) operations center to coordinate the referral of severe cases requiring specialized procedures such as hemodialysis and hemoperfusion to hospitals with available equipment and capacity.
The move comes after the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City temporarily limited the admission of walk-in patients on Sunday after reaching full bed capacity due to the surge in leptospirosis cases.
Meanwhile, Mercado said PhilHealth has increased its coverage for leptospirosis treatment. The previous ₱20,000 coverage has been raised to as much as ₱68,000, while coverage for moderate to severe cases can reach around ₱412,000 to ₱414,000.
He said patients admitted to wards or basic accommodation in participating private hospitals should not have to pay out of pocket under the agreement between the hospitals and PhilHealth.
When asked whether leptospirosis cases could still increase during the rainy season, Mercado said the DOH believes the country is already seeing the peak of infections.
“Ito na yung tingin namin peak, kasi ito na yung mga tinatawag nating incubation period. Usually, five to 15 days after ng baha, magpapakita na ng sintomas. Magpapadalawang linggo na tayo, kaya ito na yung nakikita nating nagkaroon ng impeksyon,” he said.
Mercado added that the DOH is also closely monitoring dengue cases, urging the public to prevent mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water and keeping water containers dry.
