The Department of Education (DepEd) is reminding learners, teachers, non-teaching personnel, parents, guardians, and school communities to take extra precautions against leptospirosis, particularly in areas affected by heavy rains and flooding.
The warning comes as the country continues to monitor leptospirosis cases following widespread flooding and persistent rains associated with the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, and tropical cyclones.
The latest available national update from the Department of Health (DOH), reported on September 4, 2026, placed the country's leptospirosis total at 6,253 cases. DOH said it is closely monitoring several regions where cases have been increasing, including Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON.
For schools, the message is straightforward: avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater and seek medical advice promptly after significant exposure.
Why Leptospirosis Becomes a Concern After Flooding
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria belonging to the Leptospira group. The bacteria can be carried by infected animals, particularly rats and other rodents, and may contaminate water, soil, mud, and other surfaces through urine and body fluids.
Flooding can spread contaminated material over roads, yards, school grounds, and other areas where people normally walk or work.
A person may become infected after direct or indirect contact with contaminated water or soil. Wading, swimming, playing, or walking through floodwater can therefore create a potential exposure.
Having a visible wound may increase the risk, but the absence of an obvious cut does not necessarily mean that exposure is harmless. Contaminated water may come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucous membranes.
This is particularly important for children and school personnel who may need to travel through flooded areas or return to schools after floodwaters have receded.
What Learners, Parents, Teachers, and School Personnel Should Do
The most effective protection begins with avoiding unnecessary exposure.
Learners should not swim, play, wade, or walk through floodwater when another safe route is available. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to keep children away from flooded areas around homes, roads, and school premises.
If exposure cannot be avoided because of an emergency or necessary cleanup activity, appropriate protection should be used.
Protective boots and gloves can help reduce contact with contaminated water and soil. Cuts, wounds, and other breaks in the skin should be covered with waterproof dressings.
Anyone who accidentally comes into contact with floodwater should wash exposed skin thoroughly with clean water and soap as soon as possible.
These precautions are especially important during the days and weeks following flooding because symptoms of leptospirosis may not appear immediately.
Keep School Grounds Clean and Safe
Preventing leptospirosis is not only about individual protection. Maintaining a clean school environment is also an important part of reducing potential exposure.
Schools should properly dispose of garbage and food waste and keep classrooms, canteens, storage rooms, and other facilities clean.
Materials that could provide food or shelter for rodents should be removed whenever possible. Schools should also address stagnant water and drainage problems when conditions allow.
Rodent-control and environmental sanitation activities should be coordinated with the appropriate local government unit (LGU) and health authorities.
Before students and personnel return to flooded portions of school grounds, affected areas should be appropriately cleaned and assessed for safety.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis to Watch For
People who have been exposed to floodwater or potentially contaminated soil should monitor themselves for possible symptoms.
Common symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Calf muscle pain
- Reddish or irritated eyes
More serious illness may involve organs such as the liver, kidneys, or brain.
Warning signs may include yellowish skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, unusually light-colored stools, decreased urine output, or severe headache.
Symptoms may develop several days after exposure. The timing can vary from person to person, which is why people should not ignore symptoms simply because they initially felt well after coming into contact with floodwater.
Seek Medical Advice After Significant Floodwater Exposure
DepEd advises learners and personnel who have waded, swum, or otherwise experienced significant exposure to floodwater or potentially contaminated water or soil to promptly consult a health facility, Rural Health Unit, or City/Municipal Health Office.
Medical professionals can assess the nature of the exposure and determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is appropriate under prevailing health guidelines.
Importantly, antibiotics should not be self-administered.
Medication used for post-exposure prophylaxis should be taken only upon the advice or prescription of an appropriately qualified health professional. The decision may depend on factors such as age, pregnancy status, medical history, contraindications, and the type and extent of exposure.
DOH has also emphasized the availability of health services and preparedness measures as cases continue to be monitored. In August, the department expanded hospital bed capacity and strengthened referral arrangements as hospitals prepared for additional patients following flooding.
What School Heads and School Health Personnel Need to Do
School heads and school health personnel have an important role in protecting the school community.
Their responsibilities include strengthening health education and information campaigns about leptospirosis, monitoring learners and personnel who may have been exposed to floodwater, and facilitating prompt referral of symptomatic individuals to appropriate health facilities.
Schools should also maintain proper records and report suspected or confirmed cases through the prescribed DepEd monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
DepEd's school health reporting system includes an automated Dengue and Leptospirosis Case Monitoring and Reporting Tool for schools, Schools Division Offices, Regional Offices, and the Central Office.
Reported leptospirosis cases should be encoded in the prescribed system within 24 hours from receipt of information about a case. Deaths, unusual increases, or clusters of suspected or confirmed cases should be reported immediately through the appropriate channels and coordinated with local health authorities.
The DepEd reporting process does not replace the mandatory disease notification and surveillance requirements of the DOH under applicable laws and regulations.
Why Schools Need Extra Vigilance During the Rainy Season
The recent increase in leptospirosis cases highlights why school communities need to remain alert even after floodwaters have disappeared.
The DOH reported 5,486 cases from January 4 to August 26, 2026, before the national figure subsequently rose to 6,253 cases in the latest September 4 update. Although the 2026 cumulative total remained below the comparable figure from 2025 at the time of the August report, health authorities continued to prepare for additional cases because of the delay between exposure and the appearance of symptoms.
The situation means that schools should not consider the risk over simply because rain has stopped or floodwater has receded.
Cleaning, sanitation, health monitoring, and timely medical consultation remain important.
Simple Reminder for Every School Community
The best response to leptospirosis is prevention and early action.
Avoid floodwater whenever possible. Protect exposed skin when contact cannot be avoided. Wash thoroughly after exposure. Keep school surroundings clean. Watch for symptoms. And seek medical advice promptly when significant exposure or concerning symptoms occur.
Parents and guardians can also help by reminding children never to play in floodwater, even when it looks shallow or harmless.
Teachers and school personnel can reinforce these reminders through classroom discussions, school announcements, health education activities, and coordination with local health authorities.
As the country continues to experience periods of heavy rain and flooding, cooperation among schools, families, local governments, and health authorities remains essential.
DepEd's reminder is ultimately about keeping schools safe and helping communities recognize a potentially serious health risk before it becomes a larger problem.
For official health guidance and current local recommendations, school communities should coordinate with their local health offices and follow the latest advisories from the Department of Health and Department of Education.
Official DepEd Health Resources
DepEd's school health resources and awareness materials can be accessed through its School Health Division resource portal:
For school case monitoring and reporting, DepEd has also provided its automated Dengue and Leptospirosis Case Monitoring and Reporting Tool:
DepEd Dengue and Leptospirosis Case Monitoring and Reporting Tool
For questions and clarifications, the DepEd Bureau of Learner Support Services–School Health Division may be contacted through blss.shd@deped.gov.ph.
Important: This article is for public information and health awareness. It does not replace medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health professional.