Leptospirosis in Philippine floods

Health officials in the Philippines have warned people not to wade in floodwaters this monsoon season after three times the usual number of cases of leptospirosis have been reported.

Flash floods are common throughout the Philippine archipelago during the monsoon season, which runs from June to December. They are particularly common in Manila, the country's sprawling capital and home to 14 million Filipinos. After only minutes of a downpour, streets in low lying areas instantly become filthy rivers clogged with waste. Many …