The Philippines’ total leptospirosis cases rose by nearly half to 13,158, while dengue cases declined to 192,112 as of October, according to the Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday, which also said it is responding by strengthening hospital coordination and continuing disease prevention campaigns.
Leptospirosis cases rose by 48% as of Oct. 7 from 8,910 during the same period last year, the DoH said in its leptospirosis and dengue report.
Despite the increase in cases, the country’s leptospirosis case fatality rate (CFR) declined to 5.34% in 2026 from 10.47% last year, indicating that a lower proportion of reported cases resulted in deaths.
In terms of recent leptospirosis cases, the agency noted a 46% decline over the past three to four weeks. Cases fell to 1,814 from Sept. 10 to 23, down from 3,340 between Aug. 27 and Sept. 9.
Although a decline in cases was observed, “the DoH will actively monitor the cases to verify and ensure that the downward trend is maintained,” the agency said in the report.
Cases were also easing in 13 areas flagged for leptospirosis.
Meanwhile, the country’s total dengue cases declined by 24% to 192,112 as of Oct. 7 from 254,137 during the same period last year.
The DoH said the country’s dengue cases “remain below the alert and epidemic threshold since the start of the year.”
The disease’s CFR also declined to 0.39%.
The DoH said that while dengue cases had generally been increasing since the first week of June, cases in the most recent reporting period showed a slight decline.
Between Sept. 10 and 23, dengue cases fell by 1% to 21,937 from 21,997 between Aug. 27 and Sept. 9.
However, the agency is still monitoring 13 areas across eight regions for localized increases in dengue cases.
In response to the two illnesses, which usually peak during the rainy season, the DoH said it continues to strengthen patient navigation and referral coordination among its hospitals and partner government health facilities.
These efforts are supported by the agency’s unified leptospirosis and dengue case tracker.
The agency said it continues to conduct disease surveillance and provide human resources for health response activities, particularly in areas flagged for dengue and leptospirosis cases.
The DoH also continues to provide doxycycline prophylaxis and essential medicines for leptospirosis prevention and response, while monitoring regional stocks of insecticides and other supplies to support dengue control efforts. — Edg Adrian A. Eva