The continuing increase in leptospirosis cases nationwide is not yet considered alarming, according to Dr. Rontgene Solante, chairman and head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.
In an ambush interview during Health Secretary Edwin Mercado’s visit to the hospital on Thursday, Solante said the priority is to ensure that patients experiencing symptoms seek immediate medical attention before their condition becomes severe.
“Pag alarming hindi naman, kaya pa natin. Kasi ang importante lang dito na yung may mga sintomas, magpunta ka agad sa hospital para hindi darating doon na pagdating nila severe na kasi mataas din ang mortality niya pag severe,” Solante said.
Solante added that determining whether the increase constitutes an outbreak would require a comparison with records from previous years, particularly to establish whether 2026 is recording the highest number of cases.
San Lazaro Hospital has so far admitted 155 leptospirosis patients, most of whom are between 19 and 35 years old. Nine patients aged 22 to 59 have also died this month.
Meanwhile, Mercado urged the public to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop, stressing the importance of early intervention, particularly among patients showing signs of severe disease.
“Dapat po yung maagapan at agarang ma-refer yung mga malulubhang pasyente kasi po time is of the essence,” Mercado said.
He added that patients who develop kidney or lung complications should receive immediate treatment, including dialysis and antibiotics when medically indicated.
“Dapat lalo na po pag nag-manifest na nakakaroon na po ng problema sa bato, nakakaroon na po ng problema sa baga, ay agarang po ma-hemodialyze at mabigyan po ng antibiotics,” Mercado said.
Health officials continue to remind the public that early consultation and treatment can help prevent leptospirosis from progressing into severe disease and potentially life-threatening complications.
