CASES of leptospirosis are rising in Cebu, with health officials warning the public to take extra precautions as floods continue to hit the province.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported 37 cases of leptospirosis from January to August 2025, already surpassing the 38 cases recorded in all of 2024. Eight of these cases were reported in August.
Most of the patients are men. No deaths have been reported so far, said Analyn Empic, a nurse from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the PHO.
“This higher count may be due to successive floods. Our cases will increase this year,” she said in Cebuano.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that spreads to humans through contact with water or soil contaminated with animal urine, often from rats. The bacteria can enter the body through open wounds, the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) also logged 141 cases across the region from January to August, with spikes starting in June at the onset of the rainy season. Most patients came from flood-prone urban areas such as Cebu City and Mandaue City.
The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, recently caused heavy rains and widespread flooding in Cebu.
Ordinance push
In Cebu City, amid the rise in cases, Dr. Alice Utlang, chief of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, is pushing for an ordinance requiring private clinics to report zoonotic diseases such
as leptospirosis.
Speaking on SunStar Cebu’s online news and commentary program Beyond the Headlines on Friday, Aug. 22, Utlang said the ordinance would allow faster responses and better coordination with health agencies.
While leptospirosis is commonly associated with rats, Utlang clarified that it is caused by bacteria, which can be carried by several animals but most frequently by rodents.
She said that curbing the rat population is difficult because they are everywhere and hard to catch.
Warnings and precautions
DOH 7 and the PHO reminded the public to avoid wading in floodwaters. If unavoidable, residents are advised to wash with clean water and soap immediately or take a full bath afterward.
“We have to be careful if we have a wound on the foot and are exposed to dirty water, especially floodwater mixed with canal water where rat urine may be,” Empic said in Cebuano.
Leptospirosis symptoms resemble the flu but may become fatal if untreated. Signs include high fever, muscle pain, headache, red eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice and rashes.
Health officials urged anyone experiencing these symptoms after flood exposure to seek medical care immediately. / ANV, EHP