The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public to remain alert against diseases that typically spike during the rainy season, specifically targeting waterborne infections, influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue.
In a televised interview, DOH spokesperson and Undersecretary Albert Domingo advised Filipinos to practice preventive habits, noting that heavy rainfall creates optimal environments for disease transmission.
“Ang pinaka-issue dito dahil dumadami na yung buhos ng ulan, nagkakaroon tayo ng tubig na pwedeng pamugaran ng dengue o kaya pwedeng makakontamina sa ating inumin doon sa mga waterborne diseases,” Domingo said.
The health official also underscored the necessity of boosting personal health and immunity, particularly with the upcoming resumption of classes.
“Sa influenza naman… dahil magpapasukan sa Lunes, mahalaga po na ang resistensya ay pinapalakas, tamang pagkain, ehersisyo, at disiplina sa katawan,” he added.
Despite the onset of the wet season, the DOH highlighted a massive drop in nationwide dengue cases. Agency data revealed 54,727 dengue infections from January 4 to May 23—a 56 percent decrease compared to the 114,308 cases documented during the same timeframe in 2025.
Domingo attributed this success to the DOH’s “4Ts” campaign (Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip), which actively targets and destroys mosquito breeding spots to halt transmission.
He noted that clean-up operations are most impactful when aligned with the peak hours of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary vector for dengue.
“Dalawang oras kasi sa isang araw pinaka-active ang ating lamok na Aedes aegypti, siya yung nagdadala ng dengue. Pag hapon na, mula 4:00 hanggang 6:00 PM, aktibo yung lamok. Sa umaga, mula 6:00 hanggang 8:00 AM,” Domingo explained.
Dengue symptoms usually manifest four to 10 days post-bite, including high fever, severe headache, eye pain, joint and muscle aches, nausea, swollen glands, and rashes.
Meanwhile, the DOH voiced critical concern over leptospirosis, a dangerous bacterial infection contracted by wading through floodwaters tainted with animal urine.
“Hangga’t kakayanin, umiwas po tayong lumusong sa baha. Kapag tayo ay lumusong, kahit anong kadahilanan pa yan, tayo ay kumonsulta sa ating pinakamalapit na health center. Mayroon naman tayong libreng gamot kung kailangan, [pero] hindi naman lahat kailangan ng gamot, ang importante lang, maunahan natin,” Domingo urged.
Early leptospirosis symptoms include fever, red eyes, chills, muscle aches, and diarrhea, while severe complications can escalate to chest pain, breathing difficulties, jaundice, and internal bleeding.
The health advisory follows the state weather bureau PAGASA’s official declaration of the rainy season onset on June 4, triggering escalated public health campaigns across the country.