Rowegie Abanto

An individual wades through floodwaters along España Boulevard in Manila following heavy rains on August 17, 2026. Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News/File

Pedestrians wade through gutter- to knee-deep floodwaters along España Boulevard in Manila following heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat on Monday, August 17. | via Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

HABAGAT- FLOODING-MANILA

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178840653742320260817-habagat-flooding-espana-manila-DJ12.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">An individual wades through floodwaters along España Boulevard in Manila following heavy rains on August 17, 2026. <em>Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — A senior official of the Department of Health on Thursday sounded the alarm over a fresh spike of leptospirosis cases in the country following severe habagat rains that spawned floods in Luzon last month.</div><p>Health authorities are closely monitoring a &quot;significant increase&quot; of leptospirosis cases following the recent flooding, said Dr. Marc Steven Capungcol, chief of the DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/9/2/expert-sees-second-wave-of-leptospirosis-surge-by-next-week-1804">Expert sees second wave of leptospirosis surge by next week</a></div><p>During the August 2 to 29 period, the health agency recorded a 77-percent increase of leptospirosis cases from the previous two weeks, Capungcol said.</p><p>From January to August 29, the DOH Epidemiology Bureau tallied at least 6,253 leptospirosis cases nationwide with 378 deaths, he said.</p><p>He noted that the cases were about 12 percent lower compared to the same period last year.</p><p>Meanwhile, Metro Manila logged at least 1,961 cases of the bacterial disease, he said, adding that the City of Manila and Quezon City had the &quot;highest cumulative number of cases&quot; followed by Caloocan and Taguig.</p><p>&quot;Several cities in NCR have repeatedly crossed their epidemic thresholds,&quot; Capungcol warned. </p><p>&quot;So our response is also targeted according to where the burden and the risk are highest.&quot;</p><p>In the Philippines, leptospirosis is usually contracted following exposure to floods contaminated with urine from infected animals like rats. </p><p>It can be prevented or treated using antibiotics like doxycycline prescribed by a doctor.</p><p>Individuals who had exposure to potentially contaminated floods and experiencing fever, muscle and joint pains and headaches are advised to consult a physician.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OILaFS-ehts?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EHzTaZn6LnI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A senior official of the Department of Health on Thursday sounded the alarm over the fresh spike of leptospirosis cases in the country following severe habagat rains that spawned floods in Luzon last month.</p>

A senior official of the Department of Health on Thursday sounded the alarm over the fresh spike of leptospirosis cases in the country following severe habagat rains that spawned floods in Luzon last month.

DOH exec sounds alarm over 'significant increase' of leptospirosis cases

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DOH exec sounds alarm over 'significant increase' of leptospirosis cases

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 03, 2026 11:44 AM PHT

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Department of Health

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Leptospirosis

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