WITH a large part of Luzon flooded in the past weeks, the Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, August 2, 2025, reported more than 500 cases of leptospirosis.
In a social media post, the DOH said 569 leptospirosis cases were reported in the last three weeks of July when typhoons "Crising," "Dante," and "Emong" as well as the southwest monsoon devastated several regions.
"The DOH recorded 569 cases of leptospirosis in its hospitals from July 13 to 31," said the DOH.
The health department earlier said it is already expecting an increase in leptospirosis cases after the massive flooding last month.
"The DOH is on alert for the expected increase in leptospirosis cases in the country," the DOH earlier said.
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria spread through the urine of infected animals, which can mix with floodwater or soil.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, headache, pain in the calf muscles, reddish eyes, jaundice (yellowish body discoloration), dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, or low urine output.
Data from the DOH showed that there are 3,037 cases of leptospirosis from January 1 to July 19. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)
