Stay Safe This Rainy Season: What You Need to Know About WILD Diseases

Doctor Anywhere Team
Jun 2
5 min read

Updated: Jun 5

woman wearing a raincoat for the rainy season

The rainy season in the Philippines often brings much-needed relief from the summer heat, but it also creates the perfect conditions for certain illnesses to spread. With frequent rains, flooding, and sudden changes in temperature, more people become vulnerable to infections that are common during this time of year.

To help the public stay healthy, the Department of Health (DOH) is reminding everyone to stay vigilant against WILD diseases, short for Waterborne diseases, Influenza, Leptospirosis, and Dengue. Knowing what to watch out for and how to prevent it can go a long way in keeping you and your family safe.

Waterborne Diseases

This includes diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A. These illnesses usually spread through the ingestion of contaminated water or food, often due to floods mixing with sewage or poor sanitation.

How to protect yourself:

Boil water before drinking or use water purification tablets.
Wash your hands properly before meals and after using the toilet.
Store water in clean, covered containers.
Avoid eating food that’s been exposed to floodwater or sold in unsanitary conditions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe water is one of the leading causes of diarrhea disease globally, particularly among children under 5.

Influenza

Also known as the flu, this viral infection tends to spread more easily during the rainy months when people stay indoors and in close contact. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue.

How to protect yourself:

Get the seasonal flu vaccine if it's available.
Stay home if you’re feeling sick to avoid spreading the virus.
Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
Keep rooms well-ventilated and clean.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu shots as the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe complications, especially in children, the elderly, and people with underlying health issues.

Leptospirosis

This bacterial infection is commonly transmitted through floodwater contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rats. It enters the body through cuts, wounds, or mucous membranes (like eyes, nose, or mouth).

Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, red eyes, vomiting, and, in severe cases, kidney or liver failure.

How to protect yourself:

Avoid walking in floodwaters, especially if you have open wounds.
Wear rubber boots or protective gear if you must wade through water.
Wash thoroughly with soap and clean water after exposure
Seek medical help immediately if you develop symptoms.

According to the DOH, leptospirosis cases tend to increase after periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.

Dengue

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause high fever, rashes, intense headache, and joint pain. Severe dengue can be life-threatening. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the virus, breeds in clean stagnant water, often found in containers, plant pots, or clogged gutters.

How to protect yourself:

Remove stagnant water in your surroundings: clean out containers, old tires, and unused buckets.
Use mosquito repellents with DEET, citronella, or lemon eucalyptus.
Wear long-sleeved clothing, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
Install window screens or use mosquito nets, especially for babies and young children.

As of March 1, 2025, over 62,000 dengue cases have already been recorded in the Philippines in 2025, a 73% increase from the same period last year, according to the DOH.

While it’s easy to feel helpless during the rainy season, small actions can make a big difference. Start by keeping your surroundings clean, practicing good hygiene, and seeking medical help early when symptoms arise.

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