A 31-year-old man from Barangay Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City died from leptospirosis.
The man waded in floodwaters triggered by Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025.
The 31-year-old patient was identified as Felix Jamamawe, single, and a resident of Lorega Proper, Cebu City.
According to his siblings, Jamamawe expired at 1:43 p.m. on November 17, 2025.
His siblings said that the incident happened so fast, or in less than 24 hours since the patient was taken to the hospital.
He was rushed to the hospital after complaining of shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Jamamawe started having a fever on November 14, 2025, or 10 days since their community experienced neck-deep floodwater when Typhoon Tino struck Cebu.
His elder sibling thought that Jamamawe sought medical check-up on November 14, 2025 after complaining of fever. But he did not. It was only confirmed that he is inflicted with leptospirosis when admitted at the hospital.
In less than 24 hours, the patient incurred medical bills worth over P200,000. His family appealed for financial assistance for the medical and funeral expenses.
Meanwhile, the Talisay City Health Office embarked on an online information campaign about leptospirosis, citing that the bacteria do not only thrive in floodwater but also in stagnant, contaminated water.
Dr. Ven Pepa said that bacteria from the urine of infected animals, or soil contaminated by the Leptospira bacteria, cause the disease.
Infection causes fever, body malaise, stomachache, redness of the eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Dr. William Larida, medical officer IV, said that the bacteria do not only enter the body through open wounds, but also through body orifices - the nose or nostrils, mouth, and eyes.
The bacteria can enter the body when drinking contaminated water, he added.
However, Larida pointed out that ill effects of the ailment can be countered through intake of prophylaxis, or doxycycline.
The public is warned that even health-conscious individuals are susceptible to leptospirosis.
Dr. Rey Cesar Bautista, Talisay City Health Officer, said that if it cannot be prevented to wade in floodwater, especially in perennially flooded communities, residents must wear protection such as water-resistant boots, and to wash the body thoroughly with soap and clean water.
He also advised of the intake of preventive medicines despite the absence of symptoms.
In fact, he said, they have distributed over 23,000 medicines against the bacteria to Talisaynons.
Talisay City logged one leptospirosis death case in Barangay Cansojong on November 16, 2025.
At least eight leptospirosis cases were reported to be in Talisay City, according to the Province of Cebu. The Talisay City Health Office, as of this writing, is undergoing verification on the said cases.
Consolacion has six cases, two cases each in Asturias and in Liloan, and one case each in Argao and in Balamban.
