2026-09-09

San Lazaro Hospital logs 22 deaths due to leptospirosis

National

HEALTH authorities advised the public to take extreme precautions against leptospirosis.

The warning was issued after the San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) in Manila recorded a total of 22 deaths due to leptospirosis.

Of the 22 deaths, 72.7 percent were associated with pulmonary hemorrhage, a Philstar report stated.

The data was as of Sept. 7.

The hospital reported that as of Friday, Sept. 4, there were four admissions for leptospirosis while overall admissions stood at 591.

During a forum on leptospirosis organized by the Philippine College of Physicians on Tuesday, Sept, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said mortality associated with leptospirosis, the most common cause of death is pulmonary hemorrhage.

“There is bleeding in the lungs,” said Solante, who is the head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Department at SLH.

Solante said deaths usually peak on the first two days of admission.

“Most of the cases we encounter are already in the severe form. These are those coming from other hospitals and it took several hours before they were transferred to San Lazaro or even days for others who came from distant places, that’s why their condition is very severe already,” Solante said.

“Despite the aggressive measures we undertake, there is that point of irreversibility, that’s why they die,” he added.

Avoiding wading in floodwaters is one way of preventing leptospirosis, the SLH said.

The public was also reminded to wash body parts exposed to floods with soap and clean water, keep surroundings clean and free from rodents, drink clean water and eat well-cooked food and consult a doctor immediately if experiencing symptoms.(MyTVCebu)