One person died while seven others were hospitalized in Malabon City due to leptospirosis, health officials said on Tuesday.

Officials said that those affected were residents of Barangay Tonsuya, one of the barangays affected by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.’’

Newly designated health officer Dr. Isauro Garcia, who was appointed by Mayor Tito Oreta last week, said that leptospirosis is now one of the top concerns of the city health office.

Dr. Billy Goco, former health officer, also said that the local health office will intensify various measures in city barangays, aside from monitoring other water-borne diseases such as dengue, cholera, and pneumonia.

So far, more than 1,000 persons have either died or hospitalized due to leptospirosis nationwide.

City health officials have advised residents to practice proper disposal of garbage, and cleanliness to avoid an increase of water-borne diseases during rainy season.

The health office is always prepared to implement several measures to address the people's need like disinfectants, chlorine, sodium hydrochloride solution for treating patients.

In Caloocan City, the area is still leptospirosis-free but city officials assured residents that the city government will extend assistance to patients who would acquire the flood-borne disease.

Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri said yesterday the President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Medical Center (PDMMC), the city’s premiere government hospital, is fully equipped and more than ready to effectively handle leptospirosis cases if ever an outbreak occurs in the city.

“The city government will also provide medicines for the residents who would be afflicted with leptospirosis,” he said.

The city chief executive said the PDMMMC has allotted wards, raised the number of its staff and has sufficient medicines to meet the needs of the patients.

Dr. Racquel So-Sayo, city health department chief, said the city continues to be leptospirosis-free but will continue to conduct massive information campaigns against leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis in the city’s 188 barangays.

Earlier, the mayor directed the City Engineer’s Office, Environmental Sanitation Services and Community Relations Office to carry out intensified clearing operations and immediate upgrading of canals and waterways to avert flooding in the city.

In Muntinlupa, the local government said it will shoulder the treatment and hospitalization of all residents afflicted with leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that has shot up in incidence because of persisting floods.

Mayor Aldrin San Pedro said infected constituents will be treated free of charge at the city-owned Ospital ng Muntinlupa in Alabang.

Muntinlupa is among the cities in Metro Manila still submerged in floodwater, specifically in villages situated near Laguna de Bay. It was recalled that the lake overflowed due to rains bought by tropical storm “Ondoy” last month, dumping a large volume of water into the city’s streets.

The City Health Office (CHO) said that 38 cases of leptospirosis have been recorded in city, including two "full-blown" cases. Four patients are confined at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa.

Two persons — one from Bayanan and one from Alabang — have died of leptospirosis, the CHO said.