Leptospirosis deaths climb to 23 in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The number of deaths in Manila due to leptospirosis this year has climbed to 23 following two more fatalities recorded yesterday, the city government said.

An additional 45 new cases brought the total number of leptospirosis cases in the city to 455 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 28, according to data from the Manila Health Department and City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.

Of the 455 cases, 155 were from San Lazaro Hospital alone. Thirteen of the 23 deaths were also from the hospital.

Ten of the 13 fatalities were male, while three were female. San Lazaro medical chief David Suplico said the age range of the deceased was between 22 and 59 years.

As of yesterday, the hospital had 157 patients with leptospirosis following 38 new admissions.

Mayor Isko Moreno previously said the surge of leptospirosis in the city is expected to rise further, citing the disease’s two-week incubation period following the severe flooding that hit Manila a week ago.

Other Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and the Philippine Red Cross are assisting San Lazaro Hospital by deploying additional manpower and bed capacity, Suplico said.

The hospital has written Moreno and the Department of Public Works and Highways to address the flooding in the hospital during heavy rains. Suplico warned that rising rainwater would force the hospital to suspend its outpatient department operations.

Meanwhile, the DOH has intensified its hospital referral system and response measures. — Christine Boton