MANILA: The Department of Health on Saturday (Dec 13) reminded the public to seek early medical consultations once they experience symptoms of leptospirosis as the agency reported over 700 cases of the illness in Central Visayas from November to December 2025.
DOH Media and Promotion Bureau Director Tina Marasigan said that the DOH’s data as of Dec 10, it logged 744 cases of leptospirosis in Central Visayas since Nov 1, 2025. This came after Typhoon Tino heavily affected the area last November.
“The agency is once again reminding you to consult once you experience symptoms. The agency ensures the readiness of DOH hospitals in line with the mandate of Secretary [Teodoro] Herbosa,” Marasigan said in an episode of dzMM Teleradyo.
Marasigan mentioned that most of the reported cases showed symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and redness of the eye after being exposed to floodwaters. Of the total reported cases, the DOH said that 715 patients have already recovered.
The DOH also said that the hospitals have enough supply of doxycycline, an antibiotic drug prescribed for post-exposure.
Medical experts said that humans can get infected by the illness caused by the Leptospira bacteria when they come in contact with water, food, or soil containing contaminated animal urine.
Early symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The DOH previously said that infected persons can also experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark-coloured urine, low urine output, and severe headache. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
