Cebu Hospitals on High Alert for Potential Leptospirosis Surge
Hospitals across Cebu have been placed on high alert, bracing for a potential influx of patients with suspected leptospirosis. This proactive measure comes as residents who waded through floodwaters or are engaged in post-flood clean-up begin to show symptoms. The flash floods were a direct result of Typhoon Tino, which hit the region two weeks ago.
Vigilance and the Incubation Period
Health Consultant Elisse Nicole Catalan stated on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, that the Provincial Government remains vigilant amid concerns of a rising case count. She explained that the current timeline is critical. "The incubation period can be two to 20 days or even more. Now that we're on day 14, this is the time when signs and symptoms start to appear," Catalan said.
While the Cebu Provincial Hospital has not seen many cases, most suspected admissions are concentrated in the town of Balamban. Catalan confirmed that health officials have been anticipating this development and are closely monitoring the situation.
Aggressive Prevention and Task Force Activation
The Capitol has launched an aggressive campaign focusing on awareness and early detection. A significant challenge is that leptospirosis's early signs—such as cramps, cough, and colds—mimic common illnesses. To combat this, authorities have been widely distributing doxycycline, an antibiotic used for both treatment and prevention.
"We've been quite aggressive with our first responders, giving them doxycycline. We've provided as much as we can to the LGUs, but the intake and compliance are also very important," Catalan emphasized.
In preparation for a potential spike, the Capitol activated a dedicated leptospirosis task force on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. This body oversees disease surveillance, case management, and coordination among local government units (LGUs), hospitals, and health partners.
Monitoring Cases and Preparing for Severe Scenarios
Although Catalan has gathered initial data from various hospitals, official figures are pending confirmation from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 7. She assured the public that while the numbers are not yet alarmingly high, vigilance is paramount.
According to a SunStar Cebu report from Monday, November 17, DOH 7 data indicated 23 confirmed leptospirosis cases in Cebu Province from November 1 to 14, 2025.
The newly formed task force has alerted both private and provincial hospitals to be prepared for severe cases that may require dialysis. "Leptospirosis can be mild, moderate, or severe. For severe cases, part of the treatment is dialysis, and that's one of the things we're worried about because we don't have that many hemodialysis machines. We're really praying that we won't reach that stage," Catalan expressed.
Seeking Financial Support for Patients
The Province is also exploring financial avenues to support affected individuals. Catalan revealed that they are coordinating with PhilHealth to seek possible financial coverage for leptospirosis patients, similar to the blanket approval granted for patient expenses during a previous earthquake.
"So for this flooding, we're also requesting PhilHealth — or the national government — to give us extra funds to cover leptospirosis cases, similar to what they did during the earthquake," she said.
