In the Dominican Republic, leptospirosis cases have surged dramatically in 2026, with the Ministry of Health reporting 279 confirmed cases from January to September, a 96.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025, which recorded 142 cases.
The provinces most impacted by the outbreak include Puerto Plata with 75 cases, Santo Domingo with 39, Peravia with 17, and Santiago with 16. Notably, Puerto Plata alone accounted for 26.9% of the total national cases.
Additionally, health officials noted a concerning rise in fatalities associated with leptospirosis, with 20 deaths reported in 2026 compared to 13 in 2025. This marks a 53.8% increase in mortality. The deaths occurred across multiple provinces, including the National District and La Romana, each with two fatalities, and several others resulting in one death each.
The case fatality rate has shown a decrease from 9.2% in 2025 to 7.2% in 2026, indicating better outcomes despite the rising case numbers. Leptospirosis is classified as a zoonotic disease, which necessitates immediate mandatory reporting due to its endemic nature and potential for outbreaks, especially in areas affected by heavy rainfall and flooding.
Health authorities emphasize the importance of ongoing epidemiological surveillance to facilitate the prompt detection of cases, identify unusual events, and implement necessary prevention and control measures year-round.
