Leptospirosis cases in Manila public hospitals going down

The number of leptospirosis cases admitted in public hospitals in Manila has started to go down, data from the Manila Public Information Office (PIO) showed, according to a report by Christian Maño on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

As of Friday, August 15, 2025, the number of active leptospirosis cases presently admitted in the said hospitals is 56.

This is a decrease from the 87 active cases as of August 11.

The 56 active cases were admitted in the following hospitals:

• Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center: 17
• Ospital ng Tondo: 7
• Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital: 2
• Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center: 13
• Sta. Ana Hospital: 17

According to the Philippine Society of Nephrology Inc. (PSNI), leptospirosis is caused by a bacteria called leptospira, which is found in contaminated water or soil. It is spread through the urine or feces of infected animals, mostly rats, and affects both humans and animals.

PSNI emphasized that leptospirosis is spread when a person walks through, swims, or enters a flooded area. The bacteria enters the body through open wounds or even scars, or by accidentally drinking water contaminated by the urine or feces of an infected animal with leptospira. 

Among the symptoms of leptospiris include fever, muscle pain, headache, stomachache, diarrhea, red eyes, skin turning yellow in color, lesser amount of urine, and trouble breathing. 

Leptospirosis leads to complications such as kidney failures and dialysis, and pulmonary hemorrhage. It may also lead to death.

Many residents had to wade through flood waters last July due to flooding caused by heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong.

"Patuloy ang paalala ng Pamahalaang Lungsod na mag-ingat, panatilihing malinis ang kapaligiran, at agad kumonsulta sa doktor kung makararanas ng anumang sintomas," the Manila PIO said.

(The City Government continues to remind the public to be careful, maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, and immediately consult a doctor when there are any symptoms.)

Dengue

Meanwhile, active cases of dengue presently admitted in Manila public hospitals numbered 28 as of August 15, the Manila PIO data showed. —KG, GMA Integrated News