COUGH and cold are very common during the rainy season.
However, these are not the only illnesses one should watch out for, as the Philippines continues to deal with adverse weather conditions brought about by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public of W.I.L.D diseases—which stands for waterborne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue—which are common during the rainy season.
To help one stay healthy during inclement weather, here is what they need to know about W.I.L.D diseases and how they can prevent them.
W.I.L.D diseases
Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by infectious organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites that a person can obtain from consuming dirty water or food.
If they do so, they might be infected with cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, rotavirus, paralytic shellfish poisoning, and dysentery, among others.
Influenza-like illnesses are contagious conditions brought on by bacteria or viruses that infect one’s nose, throat, and/or lungs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said influenza-like diseases include a high fever of 38°C or higher, along with cough, and onset within the last 10 days.
Leptospirosis, on the other hand, is a disease caused by Leptospira bacteria, usually from rat urine, in floodwater. But the DOH said that the bacteria can also come from the urine of other infected animals, like mice, cows, pigs, and dogs.
It can enter one’s body if their eyes, nose, or mouth get splashed with the contaminated water, and if the person consumes dirty water or food or braves the flood while they have an open wound.
Lastly, dengue is a mosquito-borne illness transmitted to a person by the bite of an Aedes aegypti. These mosquitoes usually thrive in containers that hold water, like plastic drums, flower pots, and discarded tires.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of these W.I.L.D diseases include high fever, chills, vomiting, headache, and body ache.
Other symptoms of waterborne diseases include loss of appetite and stomachache.
Meanwhile, those with influenza-like illnesses may also experience sore throat, fatigue, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Leptospirosis also causes yellowing of a person’s skin and eyes, while dengue can bring rash, pain behind the eyes, and blood in vomit or poop.
Protection
The DOH has outlined several ways to prevent contracting W.I.L.D diseases during bad weather:
- Observe proper hand washing before and after preparing, cooking, and eating meals, as well as after using the restroom
- Ensure that food and drinks are not contaminated
- Rinse raw food with clean water
- Maintain the cleanliness of the environment
- Cover food and water storage to prevent contamination
- Refrain from swimming in flooded areas
- Use boots and gloves when wading through floodwaters
- Make sure to complete the anti-flu shot
- Ensure good airflow or ventilation
- Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Wear insect repellent
- Practice the “Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip” strategy to clean and eliminate possible mosquito breeding grounds
In an interview with PTV’s Ulat Bayan, DOH Spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo highlighted the importance of maintaining cleanliness and observing proper hand washing.
“Ang paghugas ng kamay ay mabisang sandata laban sa mga sakit na nakakahawa,” he said.
Domingo also advised those experiencing flu symptoms such as fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle pain to temporarily skip work or school to recover and seek professional medical help.
The DOH said in June that it expects an increase in cases of W.I.L.D diseases this rainy season. From January to May 2025, the agency reported 21,010 cases of waterborne diseases, 59,925 cases of influenza-like illnesses, 1,909 leptospirosis cases, and 116,243 dengue cases in the country.
