As of October 5, 2024, the number of leptospirosis cases in the Philippines has reached the epidemic threshold with cases totaling 5,835, a 16 percent increase from the same period in 2023, based on data from several hospitals and the Department of Health (DoH)

Leptospirosis, also known as Weil's disease, is a zoonotic infection that is more common in tropical regions. In the Philippines, leptospirosis outbreaks often occur during the rainy season.

According to the health department, some factors that contribute to the increase in leptospirosis cases include natural disasters, poor environmental conditions and international trade and travel which increases the risk of the disease spreading beyond borders.

Meanwhile, the DoH also disclosed that dengue cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) have reached ‘alert level’, prompting the health agency to call on the public to initiate measures to eliminate breeding areas of mosquitoes that spread the disease.

DoH-NCR Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit medical technologist Mary Grace Labayen noted that 24,232 dengue cases were recorded in Metro Manila from January 1 to October 26 the current year. The figure is 34.47 percent higher than the 18,020 cases registered during the same period last year.