ILOILO CITY – Cases of water-borne disease leptospirosis increased by 296 percent in Iloilo province during the first half of 2023.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) recorded 107 cases of leptospirosis from January to June 24, 2023.
The number is almost four times bigger than the 27 cases recorded in the same period in 2022.
The IPHO also recorded two deaths in the same period. One was from the town of Badiangan while the other was from Carles.
According to Dr. Rodney Labis, IPHO attributed the spike of leptospirosis to flooded waters brought by heavy rainfall over the past several months.
Some of the cases were also recorded in farming areas contaminated by rat urine.
The town of Cabatuan has the most number of leptospirosis cases with 14. Last year only one was recorded in the town.
The IPHO also recorded 12 cases of leptospirosis in Barotac Nuevo town; 11 cases in Pototan town; seven cases in Anilao town; five cases in Oton town; four cases in Dumangas town; 4 cases in San Enrique town; four cases in Santa Barbara town; and three cases in Mina town.
Labis reiterated the need to be more careful, especially when wading through flooded waters or wet farmlands if you have an open wound.