Palawan recorded 67 cases of leptospirosis, including five deaths, during the first 34 weeks of 2026, according to the Department of Health (DOH) MIMAROPA Regional Office.
The figures were included in the DOH’s Timely Review of Notifiable Diseases (TReND) update on leptospirosis, with data from the Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR) database as of September 3.
The five deaths made up nearly half of the 11 leptospirosis deaths recorded across MIMAROPA during the period. Palawan’s 67 cases accounted for about 36% of the region’s 184 cases.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly spread through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. People can become exposed through cuts or wounds in the skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth.
Among Palawan localities, Puerto Princesa City reported the most cases at 13, including two deaths.
Narra followed with eight cases, while Taytay, Bataraza and Roxas each recorded six. Bataraza and Roxas each reported one death.
Aborlan, El Nido and Rizal recorded four cases each, while Coron, Dumaran and Sofronio Española had three each. San Vicente and Magsaysay recorded two cases each, with one death reported in Magsaysay.
Araceli, Brooke’s Point and Quezon each recorded one case.
No cases were reported in Linapacan, Kalayaan, Cuyo, Culion, Cagayancillo, Busuanga, Balabac and Agutaya during the period covered by the report.
The DOH data showed that most reported cases in Palawan came from government hospitals, which accounted for more than 81% of cases. Private hospitals and clinics accounted for nearly 17%, while rural health units reported less than 2%.
The report also showed that more males than females were affected, with cases concentrated among adults aged 21 and older.
Cases were recorded throughout the year, with the highest single-week total reaching seven cases in Morbidity Week 3. Four cases were reported in each of Weeks 26, 33 and 34.
Across MIMAROPA, the 184 cases represented a 14% decrease from the 214 cases recorded during the same period in 2025. The regional total, however, remained higher than the 38 cases recorded in 2022.
The DOH report recommends continued surveillance, early detection and treatment, particularly in areas and groups with higher exposure risks.
It also emphasizes the importance of seeking medical care early for people who develop symptoms after possible exposure to contaminated water or soil.
The TReND update was prepared by the DOH MIMAROPA’s Center for Regional Epidemiology and Technology Enhancement (CRE@TE), using data from the PIDSR 4B database.
