MANILA – At least 10 people in Iloilo Province in the central Philippines have died from leptospirosis in the past eight months, local media reported on Friday.

The death toll in Iloilo Province is twice the number of people who died from the disease during the same period in 2025. Residents are urged to take prophylaxis or preventive antibiotics if exposed to risks, according to local health authorities.

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Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through animal urine, mainly from rats, that infects humans when they come into contact with contaminated water or soil.

The province recorded 84 cases from Jan 4 to Aug 8 this year, 32 of which are "agriculture-related", and most cases were recorded in areas prone to flooding.