Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The San Lazaro Hospital has set up treatment tents outside its emergency department to accommodate the continuing influx of leptospirosis patients as health officials expect more people exposed to recent floods to begin developing symptoms this week. The temporary facility was established to prevent a repeat of the long queues seen in recent days, when patients waiting for evaluation and diagnosis stretched beyond the emergency room.The tents will serve patients with mild to moderate leptospirosis, while severe cases will continue to be treated inside the emergency room. The extension has a capacity of 10 beds and is being staffed by healthcare workers from Fabella Hospital and Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/26/leptospirosis-fast-lanes-activated-in-several-doh-hospitals-amid-case-increase-palace-1557">Leptospirosis fast lanes activated in several DOH hospitals as cases increase – Palace </a> </div>The move comes as San Lazaro, the country&#x27;s primary infectious disease referral hospital, continues to receive a steady stream of patients infected with the potentially deadly bacterial disease.Health Secretary Edwin Mercado visited San Lazaro Hospital on Wednesday to inspect its response to the growing number of leptospirosis cases and assess how hospitals are managing the surge. Mercado said the Department of Health has strengthened coordination among hospitals to free up beds for incoming patients.Patients who have already stabilized and only need to complete their course of antibiotics may now be transferred to partner hospitals, including Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Maynila, and Sta. Ana Hospital.&quot;Dito sa San Lazaro, ito yung may pinakamaraming leptospirosis cases,&quot; Mercado said. &quot;Ang tawag namin dito ay step-down. Kapag completion na lang ng antibiotics ang kailangan, may agreement na tayong ilipat sila sa ibang ospital.”The strategy is the same as those already in place among other government hospitals like the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and the Philippine General Hospital, as the health system prepares for sustained demand.<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/24/nkti-s-er-is-full-adds-more-beds-as-leptospirosis-cases-rise-2110"> </a><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/24/nkti-s-er-is-full-adds-more-beds-as-leptospirosis-cases-rise-2110">NKTI adds more beds as leptospirosis cases rise</a></div>Mercado added that the Department of Health has activated an operations center that monitors hospital occupancy, bed availability, and patient movement across government hospitals.According to the health chief, an effective referral system means patients who need specialized treatment can be transferred quickly while those already recovering can continue treatment elsewhere, allowing hospitals to accommodate more severe cases.FASTER INCUBATION Even as hospitals expand capacity, infectious disease specialists warn that leptospirosis appears to be progressing more rapidly in many patients this year.Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease specialist at San Lazaro Hospital, said doctors have observed a shorter period between floodwater exposure, the onset of symptoms, and the development of severe illness. &quot;The interval from exposure to symptoms, then to severe disease, appears shorter,&quot; Solante said.He attributed this to repeated exposure to contaminated floodwaters.&quot;When people repeatedly wade through floodwaters, they are exposed to a larger number of bacteria, increasing the bacterial load in the body,&quot; he explained.Solante also warned that young age and good physical health do not guarantee protection from severe leptospirosis. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/25/san-lazaro-hospital-er-stretched-by-leptospirosis-surge-1755">San Lazaro Hospital ER stretched by leptospirosis surge; Philippine Red Cross augments nursing manpower </a> </div>&quot;Anyone can develop severe disease if treatment is delayed,&quot; he said.San Lazaro Hospital has now recorded 155 leptospirosis patients, with doctors saying this year&#x27;s caseload has already surpassed the same period last year.&quot;If we look at the trend, we are seeing more cases now than last year,&quot; Solante said. &quot;We are still gathering complete data, but for our hospital, the numbers are already higher.” Health officials continue to urge anyone who has waded through floodwaters to seek medical consultation immediately, especially if they develop fever, muscle pain, headache, or other flu-like symptoms.With more rain expected in the coming days, authorities said early consultation and rapid referral remain the best defenses against severe leptospirosis and preventable deaths.<div>  </div>

The San Lazaro Hospital has set up treatment tents outside its emergency department to accommodate the continuing influx of leptospirosis patients as health officials expect more people exposed to recent floods to begin developing symptoms this week.

The San Lazaro Hospital has set up treatment tents outside its emergency department to accommodate the continuing influx of leptospirosis patients as health officials expect more people exposed to recent floods to begin developing symptoms this week.

San Lazaro sets up leptospirosis tents as leptospirosis cases climb

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San Lazaro sets up leptospirosis tents as leptospirosis cases climb

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 27, 2026 10:54 PM PHT

Read More:

Leptospirosis

San Lazaro Hospital

Department of Health

Secretary Edwin Mercado

Dr. Rontgene Solante

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