ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 has assured the public that government health facilities have sufficient stocks of doxycycline prophylaxis to protect residents from leptospirosis as infections continue to increase amid persistent rains and flooding.
The assurance came as health authorities intensified their campaign for immediate medical consultation among people exposed to floodwaters, warning that delays in seeking treatment for the potentially fatal bacterial disease could have deadly consequences.
From Jan. 4 to June 27, 2026, Western Visayas recorded 160 leptospirosis cases, higher than the 148 cases reported during the same period last year, with adults aged 30 to 39 accounting for the largest share of infections.
Interviewed by Panay News, officials from DOH Western Visayas, provincial and city health offices confirmed that hospitals, Rural Health Units (RHUs), and other government health facilities have enough doxycycline supplies ready for deployment.
“When it comes sa ginagamit naton nga prophylaxis, naka-allocate naman kita sang doxycycline sa mga provinces. And upon monitoring sa current inventory sa aton provincial health centers and offices, may ara kita stocks nga pwede gid magamit,” said Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, Medical Officer IV and Section Head of the Infectious Diseases Section of DOH-6.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly acquired through contact with floodwaters or mud contaminated by the urine of infected animals. Health officials said immediate consultation after exposure remains the best defense against severe illness.
In Iloilo City, the City Health Office has activated its flood-response protocol, automatically dispatching barangay health workers to flood-hit communities to distribute doxycycline to residents exposed to stagnant water.
Jeff Christian Mabilog, Waterborne Diseases Program Manager of the Iloilo City Health Office, noted that most of the city’s leptospirosis cases have been recorded in La Paz district, with children comprising many of the patients.
“Kay ti sila gid ang mahilig maligo sa ulan, near areas nga may baha nga lapit sa aton nga drainage,” he said.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office also assured residents that additional stocks are being procured independently by the provincial government while local government units continue augmenting supplies in their respective areas.
“During flooding events, we increase our supply to health facilities to meet demand. Some local government units have also taken it upon themselves to purchase doxycycline to avoid previous shortages,” said Dr. Rodney Labis, Provincial Health Officer I.
Labis encouraged farmers and residents exposed to floodwaters to immediately visit the nearest health center, stressing that doxycycline prophylaxis may be obtained without a doctor’s prescription.
“Pero kon kaisa, tungod nga kadam-an sa mga tao admitted during flooding event, isa sa gina-utilize ka aton doctors ang telemedicine para kahatag guidance sa aton barangay health workers maghatag doxycycline-prophylaxis,” he said./PN
