Leptospirosis cases expected to decline at Manila hospital

MANILA, Philippines — The number of leptospirosis cases in San Lazaro Hospital in Manila is unlikely to rise in the coming days, SLH medical chief Dr. David Suplico said yesterday.

Suplico noted that the leptospirosis cases at SLH are plateauing.

He said the number of cases is expected to decrease next week.

“The highest number of patient admission in our hospital was last Aug. 26, which was at 50. Admission (of leptospirosis patients) is going down as we recorded 40 the following day, 38 a day after that, and 34 yesterday. Cases will go down after Aug. 31,” Suplico said.

“Slowly, there will be a decrease in number. Given that the incubation period is from two to 30 days, the bulk (of the cases) is within the two weeks of flooding,” he added.

Amid the surge in leptospirosis cases, Suplico said they are getting help from other hospitals such as Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital and Dr. Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.

Even the Philippine Red Cross and the Philippine Blood Center are providing assistance, he added.

“Their help resulted in an increase in our manpower capacity. Others also provided us additional cot beds so we can accommodate more patients,” Suplico said.

Data showed that as of Aug. 29, 160 leptospirosis patients were admitted at SLH while 26 have recovered and were discharged.

Earlier, the Department of Health said leptospirosis fast lanes or express lanes were put up in 33 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The DOH assured people that there is enough bed for leptospirosis cases, with 521 available beds in Metro Manila alone.

Based on the latest DOH disease surveillance report, 5,486 leptospirosis cases were recorded as of Aug. 26, or 23 percent lower compared to the 7,163 cases reported during the same period last year.