Health authorities have clarified that the death of a fish vendor at a public market in Cagayan de Oro City was not linked to leptospirosis.

It can be recalled that Atty. Marianne Guibone-Ragas, head of the City Economic Enterprises and Business Development Administration (CEEBDA), said that the office is investigating reports that the 54-year-old fish vendor at the Cogon Public Market died due to complications from leptospirosis.

According to the victim’s husband, his wife was brought to a hospital after she began feeling unwell on December 23, 2025. She passed away on January 14, 2026.

However, the City Health Office (CHO) clarified that the vendor’s cause of death was not leptospirosis, based on results of their investigation.

The local government said the death was reportedly due to complications from chronic kidney disease and liver cirrhosis.

“Amo na na siya na-investigate nakita na pud namo ang death certificate sa hingtungdan unya ang nakabutang dili siya link sa leptospirosis,” CHO Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Claire Paglinawan, said.

Health authorities also clarified that the circulating reports claiming 10 deaths from leptospirosis at the market were unfounded.

The issue stemmed from a report of Councilor Paolo Gaane during a session at the City Council.

However, Gaaane, who chaired the Committee on Health, said that the complaint he raised had not yet been validated at that time.

“Isip chairman sa Committee on Health, gi-special report nako ang complaint but after sa report of the media interview as what I have said yet to confirm pa to siya,” Gaane said.

CHO data showed only one leptospirosis case was recorded in 2025, and no cases have been documents in 2026, so far.

“I saw the letter naa gyud naka-indicate didto nga namatay sa leptospirosis and aside ana multiple cases daw didto naggikan ang napulo siguro mas maayo mapatawag usa iyang basehan kay as per CHO wala may record sa leptospirosis nga death related as of 2025 isa lang, 2026 wala ambot asa gikan ang napulo pangitaonon pa,” City Information Office, Jade Adeser, said.

CHO continues to monitor hospitals in the city to ensure that any suspected leptospirosis cases are properly recorded and treated.

The local government has also ordered a general cleaning of public markets to maintain cleanliness.

CHO warned the public that leptospirosis is a potentially fatal disease and advised residents to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms are observed.