09-08-2025
DOH opens Leptospirosis 'fast lanes'
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday announced the opening of "Leptospirosis Fast Lanes" in some hospitals amid the recent increase in cases following the flooding in some areas due to recent typhoons.
"Para sa mas mabilis na konsultasyon at gamutan ng mga nalubog sa baha, nagbukas ang Department of Health ng Leptospirosis Fast Lanes sa piling DOH Hospitals," DOH said in a Facebook post.
(For faster consultation and treatment of flood victims, the Department of Health has opened Leptospirosis Fast Lanes in selected DOH Hospitals.)
Leptospirosis Fast Lanes are open in the following hospitals:
San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital
East Avenue Medical Center
Quirino Memorial Medical Center
Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium
Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital
Philippine Orthopedic Center
San Lazaro Hospital
Valenzuela Medical Center
Tondo Medical Center
Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
Rizal Medical Center
Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center
National Children's Hospital
National Center for Mental Health
Lung Center of the Philippines
National Kidney and Transplant Institute
Philippine Children's Medical Center
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
DOH explained that the fast lanes aim to speed up the assessment of possible leptospirosis cases and whether the person needs to be confined.
"Dito, nangyayari ang assessment para malaman kung kailangan i-admit sa ospital ang pasyente o hindi. Dito rin tinitignan ang risk level ng pasyente para mabigyan ng reseta sa tamang paggamit ng doxycycline," explained DOH.
(Here, the assessment takes place to determine whether the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital or not. The patient's risk level is also checked here to be given a prescription for the correct use of doxycycline.)
Earlier, the DOH said that the number of leptospirosis cases may still rise in the next few days.
"Ang warning po namin is noong July 26, noong weekend na 'yon, counting from that up to today, naka-one week pa lang tayo more or less. Remember po ang incubation period ng leptospirosis is one to two weeks. So maaari pang tumaas 'yung numero [ng mga kaso]. Sana hindi na [tumaas]," DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.
(Our warning is that counting from the weekend of July 26 up to today, it has only been one week more or less. Remember that the incubation period of leptospirosis is one to two weeks. So the number [of leptospirosis cases] may still go up. We hope it won't go up.)
Domingo was referring to the time when the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong caused heavy rains and flooding in many parts of the country. Many Filipinos had to wade through floods to get to their homes or their work places.
According to the DOH, a total of 1,272 leptospirosis cases were recorded nationwide from July 13 to August 6. Some of those cases led to deaths, including 13 fatalities at the San Lazaro Hospital.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through the urine of infected animals such as rats. The urine may mix with floodwater and get into the bodies of persons wading through floods.
Its symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, and headaches. –VAL, GMA Integrated News
