THE provincial government of Cebu has formed a Leptospirosis Task Force to respond to the expected rise in cases following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro issued Executive Order No. 70, directing the task force to coordinate province-wide case management, logistics, and prevention efforts.

The body will also activate the Leptospirosis Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to manage referral pathways for suspected and confirmed cases.

Flooding from Typhoon Tino exposed communities to contaminated water, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases, particularly leptospirosis.

The Capitol cited historical experience underscores this risk. It noted that wehn r Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) struck Metro Manila in 2009, the Department of Health recorded 591 suspected leptospirosis cases, 259 of which were confirmed, resulting in 67 deaths.

Central Visayas reported 141 leptospirosis cases from January 1 to August 5, 2025, with males accounting for 81 percent of infections, according to DOH.

The task force will operate the EOC 24/7, including a hotline for all first-contact facilities.

It will triage and refer cases through the Consultant-on-Deck system, manage antibiotics and dialysis supplies, monitor real-time data through eight-hourly shift reports, and coordinate with hospitals, rural health units, and local governments to strengthen surveillance and prevention.

The EOC features a Clinical Desk for case intake and coordination, a Logistics and Transport Desk for supply management and emergency transport, and an Information Management Desk for data monitoring and reporting.

An Incident Commander will oversee operations and provide policy direction. Funding will come from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, the Provincial Health Office, and other available sources.

Meanwhile, since floodwaters inundated parts of Cebu, the DOH-7 warned residents not to self-medicate and to seek medical consultation before taking any antibiotics.

DOH-7 Director Joshua Brillantes stressed that antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.

“Taking them without consultation can cause adverse reactions and reduce their effectiveness over time,” he said.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through water contaminated with animal urine, poses a serious health threat.

It can cause high fever, severe muscle pain, kidney or liver failure, and, in some cases, death.

The health department advised that doxycycline, an antibiotic used to prevent leptospirosis, should only be taken under medical supervision.

Misuse can lead to stomach upset, increased sensitivity to sunlight, severe allergic reactions, and antibiotic resistance.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Cebu provincial government
• #Leptospirosis Task Force Cebu
• #Governor Pamela Baricuatro
• #Executive Order No. 70
• #Leptospirosis Emergency Operations Center
• #EOC Cebu
• #Typhoon Tino aftermath
• #waterborne diseases Cebu
• #leptospirosis prevention Philippines
• #Dep