DOH: Leptospirosis cases plateauing

The number of leptospirosis cases nationwide is starting to plateau, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In a public briefing on Monday, DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo said several public hospitals in Metro Manila have already announced that their leptospirosis cases have become manageable.

"The good news is that, our infectious diseases experts in San Lazaro Hospital have reported that their number of cases per day has dropped," Domingo said.

"It's plateauing. It means it's no longer rising. Possibly flattening or dropping. It means that we already surpassed our incubation period," he added.

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) likewise announced that its emergency room overcapacity has eased significantly from 400 percent to 98 percent following the activation of "fast lanes" for leptospirosis.

Domingo confirmed that PGH's overcapacity issue is now "more manageable."

To address the influx of patients due to recent flooding caused by the monsoon rains and typhoons, the DOH opened "fast lanes" for suspected leptospirosis cases in all 19 hospitals in Metro Manila.

From 8 June to 7 Aug., leptospirosis cases have already reached 2,396, with most of these cases coming from Metro Manila.

Leptospirosis is a serious infection from wading in floodwaters contaminated with rat or animal urine.

Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches, particularly in the calves and back. Some individuals may also experience red eyes, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash.

In more severe cases, leptospirosis can lead to jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes, kidney failure, meningitis, and lung problems.