Manila expands free doxycycline access as leptospirosis cases surge

The Manila City Health Department (MHD) has expanded community outreach, free doxycycline distribution, and hospital capacity as leptospirosis cases in the capital reached the epidemic threshold.

In a Radyo Pilipinas interview Wednesday, MHD officer-in-charge Grace Padilla said the city has recorded 1,094 cases, including 43 new infections.

"Sa hindi pa rin tayo bumababa at mataas pa, tumataas na rin tayo or tumaas o na-reach natin ang epidemic threshold ng leptospirosis (So our numbers still aren't going down and they remain high, we are continuing to climb, or we have reached the epidemic threshold for leptospirosis)," Padilla said, noting that cases remain high and have reached the epidemic threshold.

The surge followed widespread flooding in the city since August, prompting the MHD to deploy barangay health workers for house-to-house visits instead of waiting for residents to seek care at health centers.

The city has distributed nearly 200,000 doses of prophylactic doxycycline through its 44 health centers and local hospitals.

Padilla said the distribution may have helped prevent a further increase in cases.

City-run hospitals have also activated surge protocols and allocated an additional 10 percent of their beds for leptospirosis patients to ease pressure on emergency rooms.

Severe cases are being treated primarily at Ospital ng Maynila and Santa Ana Hospital, where former Covid-19 wards have been converted into dedicated leptospirosis wards.

The city has 20 dialysis units to manage severe complications, while health centers and emergency rooms have established leptospirosis fast lanes to speed up patient assessment and admission.

Padilla urged residents to avoid wading through floodwaters whenever possible and to seek medical attention and prophylactic treatment after exposure.

"Sa 44 health centers po natin ay libre po yan at sa lahat ng city hospitals po natin ay binibigay natin siya ng libre (It is free in our 44 health centers and we give it away for free in all our city hospitals)," she said, referring to the free doxycycline available at the city's health centers and hospitals.

She said free medical support and prophylactic antibiotics remain available, particularly for people considered at high risk or those who have waded through floodwaters.