Leptospirosis patients recount ordeal as cases rise at San Lazaro Hospital

The fast lane for suspected leptospirosis cases stretched outside the emergency room of San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on Tuesday as people sought medical attention after exposure to floodwaters.

In a “24 Oras” report by Mariz Umali, several patients recounted their experiences after developing symptoms associated with leptospirosis.

Among those waiting in line was Lolita Montallana, whose child died from leptospirosis in 2021. She was at the hospital with her grandson, who had been exposed to floodwaters.

Montallana became emotional as she recalled losing her child.

“Nangyari na po sa anak ko, kaya ngayon natatakot na talaga ako. ‘Di ko na talaga makakayanan kapag nangyari pa ‘yon,” she said.

(This already happened to my child, which is why I'm terrified now. I really won't be able to handle it if it happens again.)

She said her grandson would often play in floodwaters despite her warnings.

“Saway ako nang saway ayaw nila akong pakinggan… Nangangalay ‘yung ganito niya yung paa, tapos dura siya nang dura,” she said.

(I kept scolding them, but they wouldn't listen to me. His foot started feeling numb, and then he kept spitting.)

Also waiting in the fast lane was 14-year-old Jovin Gonzalez, who became ill after wading through floodwaters.

“Ilang araw po nagkalagnat po ako. Sumakit po ‘yung balakang ko,” Gonzalez said.

(I had a fever for several days. I had pain in my hip.)

Daniel Montaniel, 22, also went to the hospital after a heavily swollen foot failed to heal. He suspected the condition was linked to wading through floodwaters on his birthday while buying food for his celebration.

“Nakita ko po ‘yung mga ibang [may leptospirosis] na mahirap na po. Tapos ‘yon, nakatabi ka pa po roon sa Bulacan, nire-revive na. Natakot na po,” he said.

(I saw other patients with leptospirosis who were already in severe condition. Then, right beside us, there was someone from Bulacan being revived. I got really scared.)

According to Umali’s report, the hospital’s emergency room was already fully occupied by leptospirosis patients.

One of them was Jesus Baluyan, a sidecar driver who was suffering from severe body pain and difficulty breathing.

“Bumabyahe po ako, lagi namang baha sa amin. Sobrang sikip na po ng dibdib ko, ‘di na po ako nakakahinga, tapos ang sakit na po ng binti ko, hindi na po ako gaano nakakalakad,” Baluyan said.

(I drive for a living, and our area is always flooded. My chest feels so tight that I can hardly breathe, and my legs hurt so much that I can barely walk.)

Due to the volume of patients with severe leptospirosis, San Lazaro Hospital has been operating its hemodialysis unit 24 hours a day since last week to allow patients requiring dialysis to receive treatment immediately.

Jerico Robles was among those who had to undergo dialysis.

He recalled experiencing stomach cramps, vomiting, excessive spitting, dizziness, and nausea before eventually needing dialysis.

“Nagka-stomach cramps na po ako, vomiting, spitting, dizziness po, nausea. Wala po sa kaisipan ko na mada-dialysis po ako. Malungkot po kasi maliliit pa po ‘yung mga anak ko,” Robles said.

(I had stomach cramps, vomiting, spitting, dizziness, and nausea. It never crossed my mind that I would need dialysis. It’s heartbreaking because my children are still very young.)

San Lazaro Hospital had recorded 135 admitted leptospirosis cases as of August 25, 2026, higher than the 131 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News