IN THE wake of the massive flooding that hit a large part of the country, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday, July 22, 2025, that it is bracing for a spike in leptospirosis cases.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to the evacuation center of the Nangka Elementary School in Marikina City, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said they are preparing for an expected surge in the flood-borne disease.
"Since 'Crising', may paisa-isa na kaming reports ng leptospirosis sa aming mga hospitals," said Herbosa.
(Since 'Crising,' we have been receiving isolated reports of leptospirosis cases in our hospitals.)
"Inaasahan natin tataas ang mga kaso ng leptospirosis. Kaya ang hospitals namin naghahanda na," he added.
(We expect leptospirosis cases to increase, so our hospitals are already preparing.)
The health chief said this is why they have readied an adequate amount of medicines in evacuation centers, including antibiotics for those who waded in flood water.
"Mamimigay kami ng gamot at serbisyo sa nangangailangan gaya ng doxycycline para pang proteksyon sa leptospirosis," said Herbosa.
(We will be providing medicines and services to those in need, such as doxycycline for protection against leptospirosis.)
He said they have also prepositioned other types of medication, including maintenance medicines.
"Napansin namin na sa evacuation centers, yung mga lumikas kung minsan hindi nila nadadala yung gamot nilang pang high blood or diabetes so nagdadala na din kami," said Herbosa.
(We ve noticed that in evacuation centers, some evacuees sometimes fail to bring their medicines for high blood pressure or diabetes, so we also bring those with us.)
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the twin weather disturbances have affected some 225,000 families or around 800,000 individuals.
Of the total, 5,900 families or 20,000 people have already sought shelter at evacuation centers. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)