Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Every gurney at the San Lazaro Hospital is occupied. On one of them lies a woman, motionless, a tube threaded down her throat to help her breathe. Beside her sits Alexander Reyes, his face visibly fatigued as he strokes her jaundiced legs. She is not a COVID-19 patient, but the disease that struck her is one Filipinos know all too well. So well that many have learned to ignore it. It’s only when the symptoms worsen — when it’s nearly too late—that the word resurfaces: leptospirosis. A preventable illness, overlooked until the cost becomes too high.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754576308470viber_image_2025-08-07_22-07-47-510.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Alexander Reyes sits next to his partner in San Lazaro Hospital, on Thursday, after being intubated due to respiratory complications from leptospirosis. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News </div>San Lazaro Hospital, along with other medical facilities in Metro Manila, braced for a surge in leptospirosis cases in the weeks following relentless southwest monsoon rains and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong.From August 6 to 7 alone, emergency room data show the hospital received 98 patients, 78 of whom were already suffering from moderate to severe complications of leptospirosis. The symptoms ranged from skin discoloration to septic shock.“Naninilaw na sila, masakit ang katawan at nagdecrease ang urine output o hindi na nakakaihi. That’s the time na pumupunta sila sa hospital for treatment kaya pagdating namin it’s already moderate to severe cases na minsan this will lead to mortality or kamatayan ng pasyente,” says Dr. Iftiza Haron, San Lazaro Hospital’s OIC Chief of Medical Professional Staff.(They already have jaundice, body aches and they have a decreased urine output. That’s the only time they go to the hospital for treatment. By then, it’s already moderate or severe and in some cases it will lead to the death of a patient.)Since August 1, Dr. Haron said leptospirosis cases in the ER have doubled—and on some days, tripled.The majority of patients are between 19 and 30 years old, followed by those aged 31 to 40. These are mostly working-age individuals who often wade through floodwaters to earn a living. Many consider themselves healthy enough to recover from flu-like symptoms—until it’s too late.That was the case for Reyes’ partner works as a swimming pool attendant, she continued to work even during heavy flooding.What started as a simple stomach ache soon turned into diarrhea and fever. She ignored the signs, thinking it would pass. Instead, her condition worsened, leading to jaundice and eventually lung hemorrhage.Alexander admiteds that while they cannot blame anyone for what happened, a lot of lessons were learned the hard way.“Ang leksyon na natutunan ko dito, kapag may sintomas na nakikita, ER na agad, &#x27;tas especialista. Kahit simpleng lagnat lang po. Huwag nang isawalang bahala,” he said.(The lesson here is when you feel symptoms go straight to the ER and see a doctor. Even if it’s a simple fever. We really shouldn’t be complacent.)<div>An unforgiving illness</div>While the sound of leptospirosis may be familiar owing to its recurrence, those affected by it but choose to ignore it, may find themselves in unfamiliar danger.The leptospira bacteria, excreted by rodents, navigates itself in filthy floodwater until it enters an individual’s body through wounds and small cuts or openings in the skin. The incubation period usually lasts one week.Majority of patients at the San Lazaro Hospital reported an initial symptom of fever followed by calf tenderness and body malaise. An unsuspecting individual may perceive this to be an ordinary flu. This is when it becomes dangerous.Leptospirosis can affect various organs in the body including the kidneys, liver, pancreas, lungs and even the heart.Dr. Romina Danguilan, Deputy Executive Director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) says the complications on the heart caused by leptospirosis can sometimes be “very sudden.”“There&#x27;s some kind of inflammation around the heart. It also affects yung pagtibok ng puso nila. And namamatay sila kaagad. So really malubhang manifestations,” she said.(It also affects their heartbeat. They arrest and die suddenly so it’s really a severe manifestation.)<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754576357826viber_image_2025-08-07_22-07-48-922.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>A portion of the NKTI gymnasium is converted into a leptospirosis ward to accommodate patients needing dialysis. Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News</div>The NKTI’s bout with the surge in leptospirosis is no different. It’s emergency room reported to receive one leptospirosis patient every hour on August 6. On the same day, it logged four fatalities from the vector-borne disease. Cumulatively, NKTI has seen 10 deaths with some of them succumbing in the emergency room.“Kakadating pa lang sa hospital, 10 to 12 hours pa lang sila nasa emergency room. Nabigay naman yung mga unang paggagamot, ngunit hindi pa rin talagang kinaya ng ating mga pasyente. So medyo mataas ang risk ng mortality,” explains NKTI’s Emergency Department Head Dr. Russel Villanueva.(They just arrived in the hospital and have just been in the ER for 10 to 12 hours. The necessary medication was given but some of them still can’t fight it. So the risk of mortality is a bit high.)<div>Treat every symptom a sign of leptospirosis</div>The rainy season in the Philippines always brings more than just storms — it also ushers in a spike in waterborne illnesses collectively known as WILD diseases: Waterborne infections, Influenza, Leptospirosis, and Dengue. Among them, leptospirosis remains one of the most dangerous but also preventable.“We need to seek consult. We need to see doctors and we need to be Brough to the hospital for proper management,” Dr. Haron said.This means treating any unusual symptom — especially after wading through floodwaters — as a potential sign of leptospirosis. Early detection and treatment are critical in preventing severe complications.Experts continue to push for post-exposure prophylaxis using doxycycline, an antibiotic proven to reduce the risk of infection.It is available for free in health centers across the country, particularly important for individuals who had cuts or open wounds while walking through floods—but even those without skin breaks are urged to take it.Dr. Danguilan assures the public that doxycycline is safe and effective.“It&#x27;s very safe. You only take it for a few days. And you know, you could die from severe lepto. So I would rather take a tablet, two tablets for three days, rather than die.”She explained that for people with low exposure, doxycycline should be taken within 24 to 72 hours after contact with floodwaters. For those living in flood-prone areas or frequently exposed, weekly doses are recommended as long as the risk remains.“If you are living in a place na may constant flooding pa rin, you take it pa rin once a week until may floods. And lumulusong ka sa baha, you continue taking it, two tablets, pero once a week lang,” Dr. Danguilan said.(If you live in a place with constant flooding, take it once a week until the floods disappear. If you continue to wade in floodwater, continue taking two tablets once a week.)Leptospirosis is deadly, but it doesn’t have to be. With free access to preventing medicine, better public awareness and health seeking behavior, lives can be saved. As with any kind of illness, vigilance in preventive measures is the strongest cure.

From August 6 to 7 alone, emergency room data show the hospital received 98 patients, 78 of whom were already suffering from moderate to severe complications of leptospirosis.

From August 6 to 7 alone, emergency room data show the hospital received 98 patients, 78 of whom were already suffering from moderate to severe complications of leptospirosis.

'It’s an annual thing': Hospitals feel surge in leptospirosis cases anew

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'It’s an annual thing': Hospitals feel surge in leptospirosis cases anew

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 07, 2025 11:50 PM PHT

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Metro Manila

health

leptospirosis

San Lazaro Hospital

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