The Manila city government has declared a leptospirosis epidemic after cases surpassed the epidemiologic threshold, with several city-run hospitals nearing full capacity amid a rise in infections following recent flooding.

Manila OIC-City Health officer Dr. Grace Padilla reported Monday that the city’s leptospirosis attack rate rose to 3.48 percent from 1.27 percent the previous week, indicating a sharp increase in cases over a short period.

Padilla said Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital and Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital were already at full admission capacity due to the continuing influx of leptospirosis patients.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso directed concerned agencies to intensify measures to prevent further infections, including an aggressive information campaign.

The city government said doxycycline capsules are available for free at all 44 health centers and seven district hospitals.

Moreno also directed the Manila Health Department and the city’s 896 barangays to conduct house-to-house distribution of doxycycline to residents who had been exposed to floodwaters during the recent rains.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly spread through contact with water or soil contaminated by urine from infected animals, particularly rats.

People can contract it through cuts or wounds in the skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting and red eyes. Severe cases can cause kidney or liver failure.