DOH logs 521 leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila hospitals

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it has recorded 521 cases of leptospirosis across DOH hospitals in Metro Manila, with the majority, or 158 cases, currently admitted at San Lazaro Hospital.

In a press briefing, DOH Undersecretary Dr. Gloria Balboa said a total of 5,486 cases of leptospirosis were recorded in the country from Jan. 4 to Aug. 26. This was 23% lower than the 7,163 cases recorded during the same period last year.

She noted that the regions with the highest number of leptospirosis cases were the National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

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READ: LIST: 33 gov’t hospitals in 5 Luzon regions with leptospirosis fast lane

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“In connection with the widespread flooding in our country in the past week, the DOH is continuing and strengthening the surveillance of cases of leptospirosis through our epidemiology bureau,” she said in Filipino.

“Our reminder to our fellow Filipinos is that if they waded through floods, whether they have a wound or not, with or without symptoms, they should go to the nearest health center for early intervention and to get proper advice from our health workers,” added Balboa.

Acting Health Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado, meanwhile, noted that the number of cases are expected to further increase in the next two weeks. The DOH had earlier warned that leptospirosis has an incubation period of five to 15 days.

READ: Waded through floods? DOH lists steps to prevent leptospirosis

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However, Mercado assured that health facilities will remain operational and will have sufficient supply of medicine.

He noted that 33 leptospirosis fast lanes have already been opened across DOH hospitals in affected regions, which includes Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, NCR, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

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READ: DOH monitoring leptospirosis cases amid widespread floods

He added that the DOH is also coordinating with local health offices in Metro Manila to improve the referral system across hospitals, as part of efforts to prevent the surge of patients.

In San Lazaro Hospital, Mercado said a tent has been erected to temporarily treat patients who may be infected with leptospirosis.

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Additional nurses and medtech from Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital were also deployed to San Lazaro to prevent the shortage of medical staff. /jpv