Manila declares leptospirosis epidemic as hospitals reach full capacity

Alfredo Hilario

The city government of Manila declared a leptospirosis epidemic on Sept. 7, after new infections surged past the city’s epidemiological threshold following widespread flooding in late August.

Manila Health Department (MHD) data showed the city’s attack rate for the waterborne bacterial infection jumped from 1.27 percent last week to 3.48 percent, indicating a rapid transmission rate within a short period. 

Local health authorities have logged nearly 1,000 cases of leptospirosis in the capital so far this year.

Officer in Charge City Health Officer Dr. Grace Padilla reported to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso that several public hospitals have hit full capacity due to the continuous influx of infected patients. 

Padilla also noted that facilities such as Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital, and Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital have expanded bed capacities to respond to the surge.

The situation in Manila mirrors a broader regional trend. Marc Steven Capungcol, chief of the Department of Health (DOH) Emergency Management Bureau, reported that several cities in Metro Manila have repeatedly crossed their epidemic thresholds. 

The National Capital Region (NCR) has recorded at least 1,961 cases, with Manila and Quezon City registering the highest cumulative totals.

Nationwide, DOH Epidemiology Bureau figures show at least 6,253 leptospirosis cases and 378 deaths recorded from January to August.

In response to the surge, Domagoso ordered city agencies, health centers, and barangay officials to execute direct intervention measures, focusing on residents exposed to floodwaters.

The city government has mobilized its 896 barangays and 44 health centers to distribute free doxycycline prophylaxis directly to flood-affected communities. 

Health authorities advise individuals exposed to floodwaters who exhibit symptoms, such as fever, severe muscle pain, and headache, to seek immediate medical treatment to prevent severe complications or fatality.