Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Leptospirosis Cases Rise in Manila After Widespread Flooding
Heavy rain and flooding have increased leptospirosis cases in the Philippines.
Leptospirosis is an illness that can affect people after exposure to flood-related risks.
A hospital in Manila has treated 50 patients and reported two deaths.
The country has recorded 3,760 cases so far.
Doctors expect the number to rise in the coming days.
Iloilo Province has also reported 10 deaths during the past eight months.
Officials are encouraging people exposed to risks to take preventive antibiotics.
Flooding has affected many communities and damaged homes, roads and farmland.
San Lazaro Hospital in Manila has recorded 50 leptospirosis cases and two deaths following widespread flooding.
The Philippine Department of Health reported 3,760 nationwide leptospirosis cases, with numbers expected to increase.
San Lazaro Hospital opened an express lane for leptospirosis patients amid the rising cases.
Iloilo Province has reported at least 10 leptospirosis deaths over the past eight months, twice the number recorded during the same period in 2025.
Flooding has prompted 88 cities and municipalities to declare a state of calamity, severely affecting provinces including Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan.
- Who
- Patients, the Philippine Department of Health, San Lazaro Hospital and local health and disaster authorities.
- What
- Leptospirosis cases and deaths have risen amid widespread flooding, while numerous communities remain under a state of calamity.
- When
- The Manila figures were reported on Saturday; Iloilo’s deaths occurred over the past eight months.
- Where
- Manila and Iloilo Province, with major flood impacts in Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan in the Philippines.
- Why
- Persistent heavy rains, the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones caused flooding associated with increased leptospirosis risks.
- Manila cases
- San Lazaro Hospital reported 50 leptospirosis cases and two deaths.
- Nationwide cases
- The Department of Health reported 3,760 cases in the Philippines.
- Iloilo deaths
- At least 10 people have died from leptospirosis in Iloilo Province over the past eight months.
- Emergency declarations
- Eighty-eight cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity.
- Pampanga impact
- More than half of the province’s villages remained submerged, affecting nearly 1 million people.
- Agricultural damage
- Pampanga reported about 1.4 billion pesos, or approximately 22.68 million US dollars, in agricultural damage.
- Evacuations in Bataan
- Around 8,000 residents were evacuated from Bataan Province.