Philippines health authorities on alert as Typhoon Queenie exits PAR

Typhoon Queenie (international name: Surigae) has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) after intensifying into a typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h. While the storm remained far from the Philippine landmass and did not make a direct hit, its passage has prompted significant health and weather warnings.

The Department of Health (DOH) has declared a Code White Alert, placing emergency services on 24/7 standby to manage weather-related risks. Health authorities are also monitoring a surge in leptospirosis cases, warning the public against wading through contaminated floodwaters.

Simultaneously, the weather bureau PAGASA reported that the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is causing scattered rain and thunderstorms across the Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan. Residents in these areas have been warned of the potential for flash floods and landslides.