Dennis Gasgonia

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lepto

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) has opened specialized leptospirosis &quot;fast lanes&quot; in select government hospitals across the country to provide quicker risk assessments and treatment for patients exposed to floodwaters and suspected of having the illness. The move comes amid a surge in leptospirosis cases nationwide, with 2,396 infections recorded from June 8 to August 7, 2025, according to the DOH.In Barangay Obrero, Quezon City, the family of Romeo Fernandez, a 58-year-old mechanic, is mourning his sudden death from leptospirosis. His wake is being held on the side of a local basketball court.His widow, Marife Fernandez, recounted the symptoms Romeo experienced following consecutive days of work under heavy rains.“Mataas ang lagnat niya, yung mga nagtritrigger ng buto masasakit daw, yung back pain niya sa likod, yung batok, yung tiyan niya masakit, nagtae na siya,” she said.“Sabi ko na nga sa kanya bakit nagmanas ‘yung mga binti mo, bakit ang laki ng tiyan mo, bakit ‘yung mata mo yellow ‘yung dalawa, para kang may hepa,” she added. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/8/9/public-hospital-emergency-rooms-exceed-capacity-as-leptospirosis-cases-rise-1314">&#x27;We prioritize critically ill patients&#x27;: Public hospital emergency rooms exceed capacity as leptospirosis cases rise </a></div> The family did not initially know that Romeo had contracted leptospirosis—a bacterial infection typically transmitted through water contaminated by rat urine. “Nung dinala ko siya ng August 3, kinabukasan namatay na siya, mga 10:40. Napakarami po niyang naranasan, nilagyan siya ng tubo… Sabi ng doctor, nadetect po na lepto… Leptospirosis,” Marife recalled. Now widowed, Marife is left to care for their six children and 11 grandchildren, calling for assistance as they face difficult times. Several major hospitals in Metro Manila are grappling with overcrowding as leptospirosis admissions soar. At the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), spokesperson Dr. Jonas Del Rosario shared: “Nung nanawagan kami last week, ‘yung aming emergency room ay 400 percent over capacity. Nakatulong naman ‘yung announcement… ngayon 300 percent over capacity na lang. Meron kaming pasyente na a little bit over 200 kasi ang aming talagang capacity sa emergency room is 70 to 75.” At East Avenue Medical Center, spokesperson Dr. John Paul Ner said: “Yung latest census sa aming emergency department, nasa 168. Lagpas na rin kami sa aming usual na bed [capacity]… hindi siya kakaiba na nangyayari dito sa East Avenue Medical Center.” San Lazaro Hospital, which allocated 125 beds for leptospirosis cases, has already admitted 124 patients, according to Medical Center Chief Dr. David Suplico.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/7/29/after-floods-doh-sees-increase-in-leptospirosis-patients-1857">After floods, DOH sees increase in leptospirosis patients</a></div> “Nag-a-admit lang kami ng moderate to severe [cases]. Pero merong good news ng konti—nagpa-plateau na ang admission namin. Mula mga 30s per day, bumababa na siya sa mga 20s per day,” he said. Meanwhile, at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), the majority of leptospirosis patients are in severe condition. “We have 60 patients currently admitted, all with severe lepto. Mga more 75 percent naka-dialysis ito at yung iba naka-ventilator pa,” said Dr. Romina Danguilan, NKTI Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services.<div> Fast lanes for quicker response</div> To ease the burden on hospitals and ensure timely medical intervention, the DOH has established Leptospirosis Fast Lanes at the following 19 hospitals: 1.  San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital   2.  East Avenue Medical Center   3.  Quirino Memorial Medical Center   4.  Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium   5.  Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital   6.  Philippine Orthopedic Center   7.  San Lazaro Hospital   8.  Valenzuela Medical Center   9.  Tondo Medical Center   10.  Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center   11.  Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center   12.  Rizal Medical Center   13.  Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center   14.  National Children’s Hospital   15.  National Center for Mental Health   16.  Lung Center of the Philippines   17.  National Kidney and Transplant Institute   18.  Philippine Children’s Medical Center   19.  Research Institute for Tropical Medicine<div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/8/7/-it-s-an-annual-thing-hospitals-feel-surge-in-leptospirosis-cases-anew-2350">&#x27;It’s an annual thing&#x27;: Hospitals feel surge in leptospirosis cases anew </a></div>These fast lanes are designated areas in hospitals where patients exposed to floodwaters can be evaluated quickly. Doctors assess if hospitalization is needed and determine the appropriate use of doxycycline, an antibiotic used to prevent or treat leptospirosis. Health authorities are urging the public to avoid wading in floodwaters, especially those with open wounds. In case of exposure, immediate consultation with a doctor is advised to receive preventive.<div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jCCqZeQmw1U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The move comes amid a surge in leptospirosis cases nationwide, with 2,396 infections recorded from June 8 to August 7, 2025, according to the DOH.

The move comes amid a surge in leptospirosis cases nationwide, with 2,396 infections recorded from June 8 to August 7, 2025, according to the DOH.

DOH opens ‘leptospirosis fast lanes’ as cases surge past 2,300 nationwide

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DOH opens ‘leptospirosis fast lanes’ as cases surge past 2,300 nationwide

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 09, 2025 05:01 PM PHT

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Updated August 10, 2025 06:33 PM PHT

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