MANILA, Philippines — Five leptospirosis patients have died at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) since June, as doctors warn that the Philippines could still see more infections following weeks of heavy rain and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon, or Habagat.
NKTI has recorded 19 leptospirosis cases since June 1, with five deaths, according to hospital figures reported on August 22. The latest fatality was recorded on Friday, August 21, after the patient’s condition deteriorated and developed pulmonary hemorrhage, or bleeding in the lungs.
But doctors say the more worrying part of the situation may be how late some patients are seeking treatment.
NKTI nephrologist Dr. Arlene Lamban-Crosson said many patients reaching the institute already have severe disease because early symptoms can initially resemble other common illnesses.
Early warning signs can include fever, muscle and joint pain, headache and red eyes. Once leptospirosis becomes severe, patients can develop jaundice, abnormal or reduced urination, kidney problems and bleeding involving the lungs or other organs.
The disease is caused by Leptospira bacteria and is commonly acquired through water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. The bacteria can enter through cuts and abrasions as well as through the eyes, nose or mouth.
San Lazaro Hospital Also Seeing a Sharp Increase
NKTI is not the only Metro Manila hospital treating new cases.
At San Lazaro Hospital, 50 leptospirosis cases have reportedly been recorded, including 24 new admissions within a 24-hour period, while two patients have died.
San Lazaro Hospital Medical Chief Dr. David Suplico described the increase as alarming and warned that the current numbers may not yet represent the peak.
There is a reason for that concern.
The incubation period for leptospirosis can range from roughly two to 30 days, meaning infections acquired during recent flooding may only become apparent days or even weeks after the water has subsided.
That delayed effect is why health officials are watching hospital admissions closely following the latest round of widespread flooding.
Nationwide Numbers Are Lower Than Last Year—But There’s a Catch
At first glance, the national numbers appear encouraging.
According to the Department of Health, the Philippines had recorded 3,440 leptospirosis cases as of August 8, 2026, down 35 percent from 5,318 cases during the comparable period in 2025.
But the more recent trend is moving in the opposite direction.
The DOH recorded 348 cases from July 12 to July 25, a 27 percent increase from the 275 infections recorded from June 28 to July 11.
Earlier DOH figures also showed the seriousness of the disease despite the year-on-year decline. As of July 18, 181 leptospirosis deaths had been reported nationwide, corresponding to a case-fatality rate of about 6.3 percent.
The pattern is not confined to Metro Manila. In Iloilo province, for example, health authorities had reported 84 cases and 10 deaths as of August 8, twice the five deaths registered there during the comparable period the previous year despite an overall decline in infections.
DOH Raises Alert After Widespread Flooding
The DOH has raised a Code White Alert in affected areas as it prepares for a possible increase in leptospirosis cases following widespread flooding.
The department said health facilities remain operational and that 3.1 million doxycycline capsules have been positioned at the DOH Central Office and across 17 Centers for Health Development for hospitals and local governments responding to potential exposures.
Leptospirosis and dengue fast lanes have also been activated in DOH hospitals and BUCAS centers as authorities anticipate illnesses associated with the prolonged rainy weather.
However, doxycycline and other antibiotics should not simply be taken on one’s own after flood exposure. The DOH advises people who have waded through floodwater or been exposed to contaminated mud to seek medical assessment, ideally within 24 to 48 hours, so a healthcare professional can determine their risk and whether prophylactic treatment is appropriate.
Treatment Costs Have Also Been Expanded
Patients who develop serious illness may also receive substantially higher PhilHealth coverage than before.
Effective July 15, PhilHealth increased its regular hospitalization benefit for leptospirosis from ₱21,450 to ₱63,000.
For severe or critical cases requiring more intensive treatment, benefits may reach approximately ₱170,000 to ₱411,000, depending on the treatment required.
The expanded coverage is significant because severe leptospirosis can affect several major organs, including the kidneys, liver, lungs and heart, sometimes requiring dialysis, intensive care or other advanced treatment.
The Biggest Danger May Be Waiting Too Long
The latest hospital deaths highlight one of the most dangerous features of leptospirosis: the infection can begin with symptoms that appear relatively ordinary.
Fever, headache and body aches after wading through floodwater can easily be dismissed as a routine viral illness.
Doctors warn that waiting until symptoms such as jaundice, reduced urination, breathing difficulty or bleeding appear can mean the infection has already progressed to severe disease.
The DOH therefore recommends avoiding floodwater whenever possible. Anyone who must enter flooded areas should wear protective boots, cover open wounds and wash exposed skin thoroughly afterward with soap and clean water.
With recent Habagat flooding affecting communities across the country—and with leptospirosis capable of taking weeks to develop—the five deaths recorded at NKTI may be less important as an isolated hospital statistic than as a warning of what could emerge in the weeks ahead.
Leave a Reply