The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, 13 December, said it has logged over 700 leptospirosis cases in Central Visayas since 1 November.

A total of 744 cases of leptospirosis have been recorded by the Health department in the region alone, according to DOH Media and Promotion Bureau Director Tina Marasigan.

This came after Typhoon Tino devastated the area in November.

Of the figure, 715 patients have already recovered.

Marasigan said most of the reported cases showed symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and redness of the eye after being exposed to floodwaters.

She also assured that the hospitals have enough supply of doxycycline, an antibiotic drug used as a preventive measure against leptospirosis after exposure to water.

Leptospirosis is a serious infection from wading in floodwaters contaminated with rat or animal urine.

Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches, particularly in the calves and back. Some individuals may also experience red eyes, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rash.