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GMA Network
5 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Leptospirosis deaths in San Lazaro Hospital climb to 13
Deaths due to leptospirosis at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila climbed to 13, while admissions are now at 104 following the floods caused by the recent series of typhoons that hit the country. According to Mariz Umali's report on Unang Balita on Friday, among those who died is a 16-year-old who suffered acute renal failure due to the disease. David Suplico, San Lazaro Hospital's Medical Center chief, said that the rise of cases could be attributed to the lack of awareness that the government hospitals and barangay health centers are providing free prophylaxis, which must be taken after exposure to floodwaters. 'Hindi po nila alam na there is a prophylaxis po. Most of our 104 patients ay wala pong ininom na prophylaxis. Hindi po sila nabigyan ng doxycycline para pang-ano natin sa Leptospira bacteria,' he said. (They don't know there's a prophylaxis. Most of our 104 patients didn't take any prophylaxis. They weren't given doxycycline to prevent the complications from Leptospira bacteria.) A person is prone to getting leptospirosis if there are wounds or lesions on the skin that were exposed to the floodwaters. Hence, Suplico reminded that two capsules of doxycycline must be taken right after exposure. Further, Suplico explained that leptospirosis, which is caused by the Leptospira bacteria present in the urine of rats, can also be acquired even without floodwaters. 'Ang paglakad-lakad lang sa lupa na nakapaa ay magkakaroon din ng leptospirosis, kung ang lupa ay naihian din ng daga na may Leptospira bacteria,' he said. (Walking barefoot on soil can also lead to leptospirosis, especially if the soil has been contaminated with urine from rats carrying Leptospira bacteria.) But the hospital official said that leptospirosis can still be treated as long as there is immediate treatment. 'Kung kayo po ay may history ng paglusong sa baha, nilagnat po kayo, pumunta na kayo sa hospital at magpa-check sa doktor,' said Suplico. (If you have a history of wading in floodwaters and you develop a fever, please go to the hospital and get checked by a doctor.) Despite the influx of leptospirosis cases in the Manila-based hospital, Suplico said that the number of cases is already plateauing. 'May good news po ako sa mga kababayan natin, medyo nagpa-plateau na po ang leptospirosis. At ang naa-admit na po namin ay pababa na po nang pababa ang numero,' said Suplico. (I have good news for our fellow citizens: the leptospirosis cases are starting to plateau. The number of admissions we're seeing is steadily decreasing.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
05-08-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
7 leptospirosis patients die in San Lazaro Hospital
The San Lazaro Hospital in Manila has recorded seven deaths due to leptospirosis in the first five days of August. According to Maki Pulido's Tuesday report on '24 Oras,' among the fatalities is a 16-year-old teenager who died due to acute renal or kidney failure. A doctor at San Lazaro noted that all seven fatalities waded through the floods caused by the continuous downpour brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones. 'Napapansin namin na ang severity ng mga sakit ngayon medyo aggressive. Sa tingin namin na within two to seven days, nagkakaroon sila ng komplikasyon sa sa kidney, liver, respiratory system, o lungs. Nakikita namin na hindi na sila nakakaihi o hirap silang huminga. Kailangan namin i-ventilator,' said Dr. David Suplico, San Lazaro Hospital medical center chief. ('We've noticed that currently, the severity of illnesses is quite aggressive. We think that within two to seven days, patients are having complications in the kidneys, liver, respiratory system, or lungs. We've observed that they can no longer urinate or are having difficulty breathing. We need to put them on a ventilator.) As of August 5, 45 leptospirosis patients are confined at the San Lazaro Hospital, of which 15 are minors. Suplico noted that each case can already be considered a complicated case, as the patients' kidneys, lungs, and liver are affected. According to San Lazaro Hospital's data, most of the leptospirosis patients are from Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna, with most of them being from Manila. 'Usually, nakikita namin ito sa mga pasyente na riders na lumusong sa baha na may paltos ang mga paa at sila ay mga na-confine sa aming ospital,' Suplico said. (We usually observed that patients confined in our hospital are motorcycle riders who waded through floodwaters with blisters on their feet.) Four of the confined leptospirosis patients are in the intensive care unit. This included the husband of Marlyn Benitez, who, despite wanting to get prophylaxis, cannot do so because they cannot go to the health center due to the flood. Meanwhile, the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City logged 44 leptospirosis cases as of August 5, most of which are from the city. The Department of Health has recorded more than 500 leptospirosis cases in July 2025. However, there is still no data on how many have contracted leptospirosis due to the successive weather disturbances. Dr. Imelda Mateo of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center reminded the public to wear boots when braving the flood or to take prophylaxis. 'Wag pong ipagsawalanag bahala kasi makakamatay ang leptospirosis (leptospirosis can be deadly, so take it seriously),' she said. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
