The San Lazaro Hospital has reported 13 deaths and 104 admissions from leptospirosis following recent typhoons and widespread flooding.

One of the fatalities was a 16-year-old who developed acute renal failure from the disease.

Dr. David Suplico, the hospital’s medical center chief, said the surge in cases is largely due to a lack of awareness that government hospitals and barangay health centers provide free prophylaxis. He noted that most of the patients did not take the preventive medicine, doxycycline, after being exposed to floodwaters.

Suplico explained that leptospirosis, caused by bacteria from rat urine, can infect people through open wounds or lesions exposed to floodwaters. He stressed that anyone who has waded through floods should take two capsules of doxycycline immediately.

The disease can also be contracted by walking barefoot on soil contaminated with the bacteria, even without flooding, according to Suplico. He said that while the disease can be severe, it is treatable with immediate medical attention.

“If you have a history of wading in floodwaters and you develop a fever, please go to the hospital and get checked by a doctor,” said Suplico.

Despite the recent increase, Suplico said the number of leptospirosis cases is beginning to plateau and new admissions are decreasing.