Manila Warns of Rainy Season Illnesses: Flu, Dengue, Leptospirosis Risks Rise

Manila City is urging residents to take precautions against illnesses like influenza-like sickness, dengue, and leptospirosis as the rainy season begins, with the city health department reporting an uptick in cases and maintaining continuous monitoring. Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, during his Facebook Live program “Talk to the People,” said the city health department has reported an increasing trend in these infectious diseases. The city health department has confirmed an increase in influenza-like illness cases and is intensifying its continuous monitoring of dengue, leptospirosis, and other infectious diseases. The rainy season is a period when infectious diseases, such as dengue fever transmitted by mosquitoes and leptospirosis caused by exposure to contaminated water or soil, tend to proliferate. Mayor Domagoso strongly urged citizens to implement preventive measures, such as maintaining good hygiene, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, and practicing frequent handwashing, to protect vulnerable populations, especially children and the elderly. He also advised prompt medical attention for symptoms like fever, cough, diarrhea, or skin rashes. In the Philippines, the risk of infectious diseases typically escalates during the rainy season due to the tropical climate and abundant rainfall. The government and local government units are conducting ongoing surveillance and awareness campaigns to uphold public health.