22 leptospirosis cases in San Lazaro Hospital, more expected amid Habagat rains

The San Lazaro Hospital in Manila said Wednesday it now has 22 leptospirosis cases, three of them severe, and expects the number to grow amid the floods caused by heavy rains in the metropolis.

In Ian Cruz’ report on 24 Oras, the hospital is preparing a ward in one of its new buildings to accommodate the expected new cases.

One patient classified as a severe case is a bed-ridden 34-year old man whose eyes and skin have turned yellow due to the disease. He said he became infected after floodwater entered his pair of rubber boots. He was confined after he experienced fever and felt physically weak.

"Ang masasabi ko lang po sa kanila, huwag sila basta basta lusong ng lusong sa baha. Ang hirap magkasakit ng ganito,” he warned.

(All I can say to people, don’t just wade into floodwaters; it is really hard to get sick like this.)

In severe leptospirosis cases, patients need to be hooked up to dialysis machines as toxins have affected their liver and kidneys. Their breathing could also be affected.

From January to August 19, San Lazaro has admitted 84 leptospirosis cases.

Another such case is a female sidewalk vendor from Carriedo in Sta. Cruz, Manila whose dog bite wound on her leg was infected by floodwater that was splashed by passing vehicles.

The woman said she has a fever, is repeatedly coughing and has trouble controlling her bodily functions because of the pain.

According to Dr. Iftizar Haron, San Lazaro’s chief medical professional staff, expects such cases to increase due to the numbers of people who have waded in floodwaters since the past two weeks.

“We are expecting more. Just to give you a historical data, last year this month we admitted 25 to 30 patients per day and we have a total of 200 plus admissions last year now we only get 14 admissions today. With the frequent heavy rain and Habagat at mga bagyo tataas pa ang ating leptospirosis,” she said.

Haron said they expect cases to reach up to a hundred, similar to what happened in 2025.

The usual symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, body pain and difficulty in urinating.

“Pinapayuan po namin ang lahat ng kababayan natin na lumusong sa baha, regardless kung gaano katagal, ay uminom sila ng doxycycline. Initially ang kailangan lang natin na doxycycline ay 200mg once a day para ito sa isang beses na lumusong sa baha. However, habang tumatagal ang exposure mo we need to take more doxycycline,” Haron advised.

(We advise people who waded in floodwater, regardless of how long, to take doxycycline. Initially 200mg of doxycycline once a day for someone who waded once. However, the longer the exposure, we need to take more doxycycline.)

On Wednesday, the hospital opened its outpatient department which treated around 800 persons.

The Department of Health said it is focused on the possible increase of leptospirosis cases amid the heavy rains brought by the Habagat.

As of Aug.8, DOH said 3,440 leptospirosis cases have been reported nationwide, a figure that is 35% lower compared to the same period last year.

However, leptospirosis cases rose slightly on July 12 to 25 where there were 348 cases, 27% higher compared to the 275 cases logged from June 28 to July 11.

Authorities assured they have a sufficient supply of medicine in the facility.

There are 3.1 million doxycycline capsules at the DOH Central Office and 17 Centers for Health Development that are considered adequate to meet the needs of hospitals and local government units.

“Mahalaga po ang apgpapakonsulta kasi hindi po lahat ay pwedeng uminom ng doxycycline. Gaya nung nabanggit, hindi po ito puwede sa mga buntis, nagpapasuso pati po sa mga may allergy sa doxycycline,” said Dr. Anne Dominique Asis-Matuba, Medical Officer IV, Disease Prevention and Control DOH.

(Consulting a doctor is important because not everyone can take doxycycline. As previously mentioned, it is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for those who are allergic to the drug.) —RF, GMA News