Leptospirosis Cases Plummet in Metro Manila Hospitals
MANILA, Philippines — Leptospirosis cases have dramatically declined in Metro Manila, with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) reporting zero new daily admissions this week. This marks a steep drop from the peak of around 200 cases per day, officials reported on Wednesday.
Similarly, San Lazaro Hospital is seeing a significant decrease in leptospirosis cases. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante noted that daily admissions have fallen to just two or three patients since Monday, with only one new case recorded on Tuesday.
Current Hospitalizations and Severity
As of August 18, San Lazaro Hospital still has 36 leptospirosis patients admitted. Among them, 21 are classified as severe cases, while 15 are moderate. Community members said the hospital continues to provide intensive care to these patients.
Understanding the Peak and Incubation Period
Dr. Solante explained that the peak of leptospirosis admissions likely occurred between August 4 and August 9. This corresponds to the incubation period of five to 14 days following exposure to floodwaters between July 21 and 25.
He added, “In the scenario that the incubation period is 14 to 21 days (July 21-22 to August 14), then we can still have cases between August 11 and August 18, but [these will be] almost half or LESS than the cases seen in August 4 to 9.” This suggests a tapering off rather than a surge in new infections.
Flooding and Weather Impact on Leptospirosis Spread
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier anticipated a rise in leptospirosis cases due to severe flooding starting July 21. The southwest monsoon, known locally as “habagat,” combined with three tropical cyclones—”Crising,” “Dante,” and “Emong”—exacerbated the situation by increasing exposure to contaminated floodwaters.
Despite these challenges, health officials remain optimistic as the number of new cases continues to decline.
Health System Response and Capacity
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa reported that approximately 2,000 leptospirosis patients remained hospitalized across Metro Manila last week, but the situation was manageable. “The hospitals had a surge capacity, as you can see with the NKTI, different areas [of the hospital] were used to admit patients, and then we conducted dialysis for patients with serious cases,” he said.
He further noted, “The good news is, for the past few days, the number has been going down from what we’ve seen. At its height, we had around 200 cases. These past few days, I think there were only five new cases. So, I can see the curve, it seems like it is going down.”
Ongoing Preparedness for Seasonal Diseases
On Wednesday, the DOH reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining hospital readiness for emergency responses to common rainy season diseases. These include waterborne illnesses, influenza-like infections, leptospirosis, and dengue—collectively known as WILD diseases, officials reported.
Health facilities continue to monitor and provide timely interventions to prevent further outbreaks and protect vulnerable communities.
For more news and updates on leptospirosis cases, visit Filipinokami.com.
