Leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila up

MANILA, Philippines — The number of leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila increased by over 300 percent amid monsoon rains that caused flooding, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said urbanization had caused the rise in cases of leptospirosis and dengue in the metropolis.

“There are 13.5 million people living in the National Capital Region, and congestion can lead to high cases of dengue and leptospirosis,” Duque told reporters.

The DOH launched an advocacy campaign against water-borne diseases at the Longos Elementary School in Malabon City yesterday.

Duque noted that poor garbage collection and flood control system as well as the lack of public awareness contributed to the high number of leptospirosis cases.

DOH director for NCR Cora Flores said they recorded 1,227 leptospirosis cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 20. The figure is 358 percent higher compared to the same period last year.

Flores said they were monitoring Manila, Malabon, Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Taguig and Valenzuela for “clustering” of leptospirosis cases.  

Dengue cases also went up to 10,917 this year from 1,990 in 2017.