Health alert up in Cebu as leptospirosis cases continue to rise

Local

HEALTH authorities in Cebu raised concern over a sustained rise in leptospirosis cases this year.

They warned residents to avoid wading through floodwaters as infections continue to emerge following weeks of heavy rain and post-Tino flooding.

Dr. Daisy Villa, head of the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD), confirmed that the city has recorded 93 leptospirosis cases from January to October 28, 2025, well before Severe Tropical Storm Tino battered the metropolis.

Of these, 17 deaths were reported.

“Daghan kaayo tag kaso ug leptospirosis since January 2025 until October 28, 2025. Naa tay 93 ka cases and naa tay 17 deaths. So kanang 17 is 2 ang confirmed, 2 ang probable, the rest is suspected,” Villa said.

Following Typhoon Tino, the city logged four additional cases, including one confirmed infection.

Despite the year’s high case count, Villa noted that Cebu City’s situation remains below the alert level and did not escalate into an epidemic.

“Ug imong tan-awon sige man ug ulan, since January nisaka na ang case unya grabe man ang ulan karon, flooding grabe kaayo, naay tendency nga musaka siya to alert stage… niabot lang siya sa epidemic level 32 weeks since January, July–August na siya but karon ni-ubos siya. Wala ta kaabot sa alert level and wala ka-cause ug epidemic,” she explained.

Villa also pointed out that while this year’s fatality rate is at 18 percent, it is lower than 2024’s 21 percent, when the city documented eight deaths from 38 cases.

Villa urged residents to treat all floodwaters as potentially contaminated and avoid exposure whenever possible.

“Mao nani ako gisulti: as much as possible ug pwede lang dili ta mutahak ang mga baha labi na walay angay gawason. Much better stay sa balay. If dili gyud kalikayan, as much as possible we use botas nga taas-taas, dili tong pang fashion nga dili malapawan sa baha,” she said.

She also advised residents to immediately seek medical help if they experience fever, stomach pain, headache, red eyes, persistent vomiting, or other flu-like symptoms, warning that delaying care can be dangerous.

“If naay gipamati… dili na huwaton, dili na kompynasa, consulta dayon,” she stressed.

Individuals with wounds who have been exposed to floodwater should be given prophylaxis, Villa added.

“If naay samad unya nakaadto sa baha, atong tagaan prophylaxis. So far naa pa tay sukod sa January, naa pa ta,” she said, referring to the city’s available medicines.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City has reported 10 suspected leptospirosis cases as of November 25, all identified through hospital surveillance following massive flooding triggered by Tino.

City health officer Dr. Debra Maria Catulong said all 10 patients are alive and currently hospitalized, with cases still classified as suspected pending laboratory confirmation from the Department of Health in Central Visayas.

Health authorities in Mandaue urged residents who were exposed to floodwaters to monitor symptoms closely and seek medical evaluation immediately.

The rise in urban cases forms part of a broader uptick across Cebu Province.

The surge in Cebu City comes as the Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) also reported an increase in leptospirosis infections across the province.

PHO officer-in-charge Dr. Mary Ann Josephine Arsenal said 117 cases have been recorded as of November 20, including 106 confirmed cases and seven deaths reported from November 1 to 20 alone.

At least 23 cases were traced to Talisay City and Consolacion.

Health officials said the rise was expected due to the typical 5–14-day incubation period for the disease, aligning with extensive post-flood exposure following Tino.

Public and private hospitals remain on high alert for new admissions.

The Cebu Provincial Government has so far distributed over 10,000 prophylaxis capsules to high-risk communities.

“We’ve been really aggressive in providing prophylaxis capsules to our first responders and local government units,” said Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, public health consultant at the Capitol.

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through water contaminated by the urine of infected animals, most commonly rats, dogs and livestock.

The Department of Health warns that untreated cases can lead to kidney failure, internal bleeding, and death.(TGP)