Iloilo city: The city health office on Wednesday advised the public to immediately seek medical consultation upon contact with stagnant, dirty, or flood waters for proper intervention and avoid the risk of leptospirosis.

According to Philippines News Agency, Dr. Jan Reygine Ansino-Hortinela of the City Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit of the City Health Office highlighted the urgency of medical consultation, noting the difficulty of reversing organ damage once infected with leptospirosis. She reported that as of July 15, 2025, Iloilo City has recorded 23 suspected cases and three deaths due to leptospirosis, compared to 22 cases and two deaths in the same period last year.

Hortinela emphasized that free consultation and prophylaxis are available at district health centers on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. She warned that leptospira bacteria, responsible for leptospirosis, can penetrate mucus membranes and potentially affect the liver, brain, and kidneys, leading to organ damage.

Symptoms of leptospirosis often begin with flu-like indicators such as fever and muscle ache, with jaundice being a prominent sign. Hortinela stressed the importance of preventive measures, which align with those for vector-borne diseases, including continuous surveillance, free medical consultations, and public education on prevention and health-seeking behavior.

Additionally, she underscored the necessity of maintaining clean surroundings to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rats.