Manila, Feb. 14 -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday urged the public to observe proper hygiene and self-protection against water and food-borne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis, and dengue (W.I.L.D. diseases).

This as the country experiences increased rainfall and thunderstorms due to the shear line, intertropical convergence zone, and easterlies, increasing the risk of weather-induced diseases.

The DOH recorded a 50-percent drop in influenza-like illnesses (ILI) cases from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1 with 9,995 cases compared to 21,340 for the same period last year.

However, cases rose to 5,150 from Jan. 5 to 18. This is double of the 2,388 cases from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4.

Leptospirosis cases also increased by 8 percent, w...