FLOODWATERS bring more than inconvenience. As leptospirosis and dengue cases rise nationwide, damp mice and cockroaches emerge from hiding beside a flooded sidewalk in Parañaque, underscoring the health risks that lurk in stagnant water.
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With leptospirosis cases reportedly rising in Metro Manila amid continuous rains and flooding, newly appointed Department of Health Secretary Edwin Mercado visited the DoH’s San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) to assess its readiness for an influx of patients.
The DoH said it has activated the Leptospirosis Express Lane to facilitate faster treatment and has prepared SLH, leptospirosis rapid diagnostic tests, antibiotics and hemodialysis units for patients with moderate to severe cases.
The department also assured the public that DoH hospitals nationwide are prepared for a possible surge in leptospirosis cases.
The DoH reminded the public that floodwaters may be contaminated with rat urine, which can transmit leptospirosis. Those who wade through floodwaters are advised to consult the nearest health center within 24 to 48 hours for proper medical advice and possible prophylactic treatment.
To recall, the DoH recorded 3,760 leptospirosis cases nationwide from 4 January to mid-August 2026.
While the total is lower than the same period in 2025, health officials are closely monitoring a recent surge in cases and admissions following heavy rains and severe flooding brought by the southwest monsoon.
Major facilities like San Lazaro Hospital in Manila set up dedicated express lanes after logging 50 active cases and two deaths amid recent floods.
The government has positioned over 3.1 million doxycycline capsules across regional health centers for immediate prophylaxis after flood exposure.
3 deaths recorded
SLH has recorded at least three deaths from leptospirosis since 10 August; the most recent fatality was recorded last Saturday.
Currently, San Lazaro Hospital has 60 leptospirosis patients, 22 of whom are new admissions and 19 are in severe condition.
An admitted patient had to wade through floodwaters last Monday.
The patient said the floodwaters reached him, and when they got home that Monday, he just took a quick bath and went to sleep.
Later that evening the patient said he couldn’t breathe and had a fever but thought it was just a normal illness, especially since he didn’t have any open wounds.
Another minor patient had to be transferred from Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center to San Lazaro Hospital to undergo dialysis.
The boy had played in deep floodwaters while bathing in the rain, and when he got home, he developed a fever.
Hospital doctors said the boy had to be transferred because dialysis services were currently unavailable at their hospital as he had elevated creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and was unable to urinate.
Severe leptospirosis can affect vital organs, including the kidneys, liver and respiratory system.
