Manila, August 22: A health crisis is unfolding in the Philippines’ capital as leptospirosis cases have surged to 50 in a major infectious disease hospital, resulting in two fatalities. Local media reports indicate that the heavy rainfall and subsequent widespread flooding are to blame.
According to news agency Xinhua, the Department of Health (DOH) has opened an express lane for leptospirosis patients at the San Lazaro Hospital, the national referral center for infectious diseases.
The DOH reports that there have been a total of 3,760 cases nationwide, with expectations that this number will continue to rise in the coming days.
Recent reports indicate that approximately 10 people have died from leptospirosis in Iloilo province in central Philippines over the past eight months. The death toll in Iloilo has doubled compared to the same period in 2025. Local health officials are urging individuals who suspect they may be infected to seek prophylactic antibiotics immediately.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense announced that a total of 88 cities and municipalities have declared a state of disaster due to the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones.
The most severely affected provinces include Pampanga, Bataan, and Bulacan in Central Luzon, the country’s largest lowland area located north of Manila on the main island of Luzon.
In Pampanga province, more than half of the villages remain submerged, impacting nearly 1 million residents and causing agricultural losses estimated at around 1.4 billion pesos (approximately $22.68 million).
Bataan province has declared a state of disaster, with nearly 8,000 residents evacuated to safer locations. In Bulacan province, flooding has caused the closure of a bridge in Santa Maria.
A ‘state of disaster’ is an official emergency declaration issued by the Philippine government when a severe natural disaster, epidemic, or major crisis affects a city, province, or the entire country.
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