Leptospirosis in Iloilo: 9 in 10 patients are men

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY – Men accounted for 108 of the 121 leptospirosis infections recorded in Iloilo province from Jan. 4 to Sept. 5 this year, or nearly nine out of every 10 cases, according to the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

That places the share of male patients at 89.3%, against 13 female patients, or 10.7%.

Patients age 40 and above recorded the most cases at 55, including 49 men and six women.

The 20-to-29 age group followed with 25 cases, of which 23 were male, and the 30-to-39 age group with 23 cases, including 20 men.

Among those ages 10 to 19, 13 of the 14 recorded cases involved males.

Three of the four cases among children age 9 and younger were also male.

IPHO data showed that agriculture-related exposure accounted for the largest number of cases at 39, followed by exposure to floods at 34.

Twenty-three cases were classified under other exposure histories, while 20 had an unknown exposure history.

Five cases were associated with mud exposure.

Leptospirosis is an infectious illness caused by Leptospira bacteria, transmitted through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, most commonly rodents.

The bacteria can enter the human body through cuts, abrasions, or open wounds, as well as through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Cases typically climb during the rainy season, when flooding and waterlogged fields widen the number of people in contact with contaminated water.

Deaths rise even as cases dip

The province recorded 13 deaths during the period, for a case fatality rate of 10.7%.

That marks a 62.5% increase from the eight fatalities recorded in the same period of 2025, when Iloilo logged 125 cases.

Deaths therefore rose even as total infections fell slightly year on year, lifting the case fatality rate from 6.4% in 2025.

The 13 deaths were recorded across 11 municipalities.

Dingle and Dueñas recorded two deaths each, while Dumangas, Oton, Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Sara, San Dionisio, San Joaquin, and Concepcion each reported one fatality.

Among the 37 towns with recorded cases, Dumangas logged the highest number at nine, followed by Tigbauan with seven, and Oton and Sta. Barbara with six each.

Fast lanes and doxycycline

Health authorities are moving to speed up treatment of suspected leptospirosis cases amid continued rains and flooding.

The Department of Health-Western Visayas (DOH-6) has directed government and private hospitals across the region to establish leptospirosis fast lanes for patients suspected of having the disease.

The fast lanes allow patients with possible exposure to contaminated water or soil to seek assessment without going through the regular outpatient queue.

DOH-6 has also made doxycycline available through Rural Health Units (RHUs), with supplies distributed to local governments through city and provincial health offices.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat leptospirosis and, in certain high-risk situations, may be prescribed as prophylaxis or preventive treatment before symptoms develop.

It is not, however, a medicine that people should take on their own after every exposure to floodwater.

DOH-6 advises those with possible exposure to seek assessment at an RHU or hospital so health workers can determine whether preventive medication or treatment is appropriate.

Symptoms typically appear within five to 14 days following exposure, though they may develop as early as two days or as late as 30 days.

Early manifestations include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle pain, particularly in the calves and lower back, and vomiting.

Left untreated, leptospirosis can progress to a more severe form, potentially leading to kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, respiratory complications, or death.

The IPHO figures show that men account for the overwhelming majority of reported cases, but they do not by themselves indicate that males are inherently more susceptible to the disease.

The high proportion of male patients tracks closely with the exposure histories on record, which are dominated by agricultural work and contact with floodwater.