The Quezon City Government is expanding access to doxycycline across the city to strengthen leptospirosis prevention and ensure that residents exposed to floodwaters can receive timely intervention.
Under the enhanced system, doxycycline will be made available not only in health centers but also through QC Action Offices, designated outreach sites, and accessible community spaces such as local churches.
For residents in flooded and high-risk areas who cannot reach these fixed distribution points, Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) will conduct house-to-house distribution.
“We want to remove barriers to access by bringing doxycycline closer to our communities, especially to residents in areas most
“After exposure to floodwater, every hour matters. We want to remove barriers to access by bringing doxycycline closer to our communities, especially to residents in areas most vulnerable to flooding,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
The City will also provide standardized information on leptospirosis prevention, symptoms, and treatment to residents receiving the medicine. A standardized Doxycycline Flood Exposure Kit is also being planned for inclusion in emergency go-bags and for distribution to identified priority families.
The strengthened response comes after severe weather and flooding brought by the Enhanced Habagat in August.
Data from the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD) show that 555 leptospirosis cases were recorded in August, accounting for 75 percent of all cases reported in the city from January to September 7, 2026.
The City breached the epidemic threshold during epidemiological week 32, or August 9 to 15, with cases peaking during weeks 33 and 34, covering August 16 to 29.
Despite the high number of cases, leptospirosis deaths declined by nearly 45 percent, from 85 during the comparable period last year to 47 this year.
“Our goal is to make sure every resident who may have been exposed knows what to do and can get help quickly.”
“The decline in fatalities shows that early prevention, consultation, and treatment can save lives. But we cannot be complacent. Our goal is to make sure every resident who may have been exposed knows what to do and can get help quickly,” Belmonte said.
The QC Government reminded residents that doxycycline should be taken only after appropriate medical assessment and that anyone who develops symptoms after exposure to floodwater should seek medical attention immediately.
“The government cannot fight leptospirosis alone. We need every QCitizen to act early, seek medical advice, and avoid delaying treatment,” the lady mayor stressed.
“With timely intervention and stronger community participation, we can prevent more families from losing loved ones to a disease that can be prevented and treated,” she concluded.
