Leptospirosis Cases Exceed Epidemic Threshold in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The number of leptospirosis cases in Manila has exceeded the epidemiologic threshold, the city health department announced yesterday. According to city health officer Dr. Grace Padilla, a rapid increase over a short period was shown, with the number of cases rising from 1.27 percent last week to 3.48 percent. Manila logged 12 new cases yesterday, bringing the total number to 982. Up to 35 fatalities have been recorded. Padilla said district hospitals in the city have reached full capacity, including Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital and Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital. At San Lazaro Hospital, medical center chief David Suplico said admission rates have declined although another surge is expected. “The leptospirosis situation brought about by the Aug. 17 flooding is starting to subside. What we are preparing for now is the flooding that occurred in Metro Manila on Aug. 29 and 30,” Suplico said. Mayor Isko Moreno said free doxycycline capsules are available across 44 health centers and seven district hospitals in Manila. He also ordered the city health department and barangay officials to go directly to residents and distribute doxycycline to those affected by flooding in recent weeks. The Department of Health (DOH) reported that as of Aug. 29, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, San Juan, Valenzuela and Quezon City have exceeded their epidemic thresholds. The DOH is also monitoring cases of the mosquito-borne disease chikungunya after recording a 38-percent increase this year compared to 2025. Chikungunya, similar to dengue, is a viral infection that spreads through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It usually causes sudden fever, severe joint pain, rashes, headache and muscle pain. From Jan. 4 to Aug. 15, a total of 887 chikungunya cases were reported, significantly higher than the 643 cases posted in 2025. However, the DOH noted a 57-percent decrease from July 19 to Aug. 1 with 77 cases reported, compared to the previous two weeks of July 5 to July 18 which had 181 cases. The top three regions with high chikungunya cases are Eastern Visayas with 399, Ilocos Region with 259 and Calabarzon with 81. Meanwhile, Davao Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region recorded 62 and 26 cases, respectively. DOH data showed no death was recorded this year with one reported in the same period last year. The World Health Organization said severe cases and deaths from chikungunya are very rare and usually occur in young babies or elderly people with comorbidities. – Rhodina Villanueva