No Leptospirosis cases in Baguio City – Panes
By: Nonnette C. Bennett
BAGUIO CITY — “There are no confirmed leptospirosis cases in the City,” said City Health Officer IV Dr. Donnabel Tubera-Panes during the Live airing of City Hall Hour on 17 September 2025.
She said that this could be due to the successful campaign against rodents and sanitation at the city market for the last few years.
Compared to 23 recorded cases in 2024 with three leading to death and nine cases in 2023, the report this year was encouraging.
Leptospirosis was a concern in Baguio City with the increase in cases during periods of heavy rainfall, often linked to rat urine contaminated floodwaters. The City Health Services Office (CHSO) tracks the cases and warns the public to avoid floodwaters.
On 11 July 2024, over 700 rodents were caught and disposed of in the two-month Rat Catching Challenge of the City Government at the public market. Market Superintendent Caesar Emilio encouraged the 46 public market sections to continue eliminating rats since the campaign benefitted the market goers and stall owners.
The prize for the winning section was P25,000 cash prize for the top, P15,000 for the second, P10,000 for the third; and P5,000 for the individual with the most number caught in 2024.
There was a total of 1,766 rodents caught in the 2020 campaign.
The symptoms of leptospirosis infected humans include: flu-like symptoms; yellow skin, kidney failure and organ failure occurring within two weeks of contamination.
