The Philippines’ influenza-like illness (ILI) cases spiked to over 13,000 during the latest two-week monitoring period, while leptospirosis cases fell and dengue cases slightly increased, according to the Department of Health (DoH) on Wednesday.
In its epidemiological report as of Oct. 21, the DoH said ILI cases reached 13,321 from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, marking a 35% increase from 9,896 cases recorded from Sept. 10 to 23.
This brought the country’s total ILI cases to 130,591 as of Oct. 21, which was 20% lower than the 163,304 cases recorded during the same period last year. The country’s case fatality rate (CFR) for ILI remained below 1%.
The DoH said the increase in ILI cases during the latest two-week monitoring period was consistent with the seasonal pattern observed since the rainy season began in morbidity week (MW) 22.
It added that cumulative ILI cases breached the national alert threshold during MW 39, covering Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, with 15 areas across seven regions flagged for heightened surveillance.
The DoH said the areas with the highest percentage increases in ILI cases were MIMAROPA, Western Visayas and Central Visayas.
Meanwhile, the country’s total dengue cases reached 217,625 as of Oct. 21, marking a 19% decrease from 269,172 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.
The DoH said dengue cases inched up by 1% to 22,813 from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, from 22,580 cases recorded from Sept. 10 to 23.
The country’s CFR for dengue stood at 0.39%.
Despite the decrease in cumulative dengue cases compared with the same period last year, 14 areas across 10 regions remained under heightened monitoring due to localized increases in cases.
The country’s total leptospirosis cases, meanwhile, increased by 46% to 13,785 as of Oct. 21, from 9,453 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. The CFR for leptospirosis stood at 5.43%.
During the latest two-week monitoring period covering Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, leptospirosis cases fell by 60% to 745, from 1,879 cases recorded from Sept. 10 to 23.
The DoH flagged six areas across Regions II and IV-B and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) due to localized increases in leptospirosis cases.
As for the agency’s response, it said it had intensified dengue prevention and vector control activities, including mosquito breeding site reduction and community information campaigns.
It also strengthened advisories on avoiding floodwater exposure and seeking early consultation for leptospirosis, while promoting hand hygiene, cough etiquette, mask use among symptomatic individuals, and influenza vaccination to prevent ILI. — Edg Adrian A. Eva