THE DEPARTMENT of Health XI revealed that leptospirosis cases have decreased by 7% in Davao Region this year, from 423 cases and 67 deaths in 2025 (a 16% case fatality rate).
Dr. Hansel Amoguis, DOH XI infectious disease cluster head, reported that surveillance reports showed no alarming number for leptospirosis.
“Based sa surveillance natin, wala pa namang naitatala o na record na meron tayong outbreak or clustering in a certain area or LGU,” Amoguis said during Habi at Kape on Wednesday, September 9.
The Davao Center for Health Development’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit XI recorded a total of 395 leptospirosis cases in the region as of Aug. 29, 2026. Seven new cases were reported during Week 34 alone (August 23–29).
The region has logged 23 total deaths from the disease this year; however, no new deaths were reported in the week of August.
Davao City continues to report the highest number of cases in the region, while Pantukan recorded the highest attack rate among all cities and municipalities.
Flood-related exposure was the most commonly cited risk factor across provinces, with 258 cases.
“Contributory factor talaga ang pagbaha kasi ngayon panahon ng tag-ulan so posibleng pagbaha, not only in Manila, even sa region, may areas na flood-prone,” she said.
It is followed by 77 cases of unknown exposure, 20 classified as “others,” 18 involving mud exposure, 16 tied to agricultural activity, and just 6 linked to ingestion of contaminated food or drink.
The cases have ranged in age from 4 to 82 years old, with males accounting for 87% of all reported cases.
Case counts, however, have remained below both the alert and epidemic thresholds throughout the surveillance period.
Dr. Kieneth Paul N Cajes, program manager of Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease said deaths are caused by kidney failure due to the severity of leptospirosis, also attributed to late consultation.
Cajes stressed that leptospirosis is preventable and curable in an earlier stage.
“We encourage everyone na lumusong sa baha to consult, may sugat o wala, to take post-exposure prophylaxis available in health centers, and Yakap clinics,” he said.
The health officials advised the public to avoid wading in floodwaters or stagnant water, cover open cuts with waterproof bandages, and take preventive measures such as wearing protective boots if exposure is unavoidable.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, such as rodents and other vermin; waste products (eg, urine and feces) of an infected animal, especially rats, contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation.
Modes of transmission include ingesting contaminated food or water, or when broken skin or open wounds and mucous membranes (eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth) come in contact with contaminated water (usually flood water) or soil (incubation period of bacteria is 7-10 days).
