Leptospirosis patients are increasing with 255 fresh cases recorded from July 21 to August 3, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

The agency said the number of new leptospirosis cases is 17 percent higher than the 217 logged from July 7-20.

From January to August 3, nationwide leptospirosis cases stood at 2,115, including 224 deaths, based on the latest report of DOH, which noted, however, that the total is still 25 percent lower than the 2,757 cases reported in the same period last year.