Leptospirosis: The Hidden Danger Lurking in Cogon Market's Wet Floors

After alleged leptospirosis cases raise concerns, here's what vendors and shoppers need to know about staying safe in CDO's wet markets—because that puddle you're stepping over might be more dangerous than you think.

The morning rush at Cogon Market is a familiar scene for any Kagay-anon. Vendors arrange their fresh fish, meat vendors hose down their stalls, and shoppers navigate through wet floors and puddles as they hunt for the best produce. It's a vibrant, essential part of our city's daily life. But recently, concerns about leptospirosis cases allegedly connected to the market have been circulating, and it's time we talk about what this disease really means for vendors, shoppers, and anyone who works in wet market environments. Whether or not specific cases have been confirmed at Cogon Market, the reality is that wet markets across the Philippines face real risks when it comes to leptospirosis. Understanding these risks isn't about creating panic—it's about protecting ourselves and our community.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Leptospirosis isn't just a theoretical concern. The Department of Health recorded a 43.4% rise in cases between January and July 2025, with 3,037 cases compared to 2,115 during the same period in 2024. That's a dramatic increase, and it's happening all across the Philippines.

What's particularly concerning for those working in markets is that research shows vendors in open air street markets are particularly at risk for this disease. In fact, a study of wet market workers in Malaysia found that 33.6% tested positive for leptospirosis antibodies, showing they had been exposed to the bacteria—often without even knowing it.

What Is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria called Leptospira that lives in the kidneys of infected animals—primarily rats, but also dogs, cattle, pigs, and other mammals. These animals shed the bacteria in their urine, sometimes for months or years, without showing any signs of being sick.

The bacteria can survive in water and moist environments for weeks or even months, making wet markets—with their constant dampness, drainage issues, and inevitable presence of rodents—a perfect environment for transmission.

How Do Market Workers and Shoppers Get Infected?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: in a wet market setting, there are multiple ways the bacteria can reach you.

For vendors and market workers:

* Walking barefoot or in open sandals on wet floors that may be contaminated with rat urine

* Handling meat, fish, or produce with bare hands when you have small cuts or scrapes

* Cleaning stalls and drains without protective gloves or boots

* Working in areas where rats are present, especially during early morning setup or late evening cleanup

* Splashing contaminated water into your eyes, nose, or mouth while hosing down stalls

For shoppers:

* Walking through puddles in the market with open footwear or bare feet

* Touching wet surfaces and then touching your face, eyes, or mouth

* Children running around barefoot while parents shop

* Handling unwashed produce that may have been in contact with contaminated surfaces

The bacteria enters your body through cuts or abrasions on your skin (even tiny ones you can't see), or through your eyes, nose, and mouth. You don't need a deep wound—the skin on your feet and hands that's been soaking in wet conditions becomes more permeable and easier for bacteria to penetrate.

Can You Get It From Food?

This is a question many people ask, and it's worth addressing directly. Yes, it's theoretically possible to get leptospirosis from contaminated food or water, but it's uncommon. Here's why:

* The bacteria can't survive on dry food

* It can't penetrate through intact fruit and vegetable skins

* Cooking food at 100°C or higher kills the bacteria instantly

* Washing produce under running water removes surface contamination

The real risk isn't from eating food from the market—it's from the environment itself. Your exposure to wet floors, contaminated water, and areas where rats have urinated poses a much greater danger than the food you're buying, especially if you wash and cook it properly.

What Does It Feel Like?

Symptoms typically appear 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure, usually around 10 days. The disease often starts like a bad case of the flu:

high fever and severe chills, intense headache, muscle pain, especially in your calves and lower back, red bloodshot eyes, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, sometimes a skin rash, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)

Here's the dangerous part: many people start feeling better after a few days, then suddenly deteriorate. This second phase can bring serious complications—kidney failure, liver damage, bleeding in the lungs, or meningitis. Without treatment, severe leptospirosis can be fatal.

What To Do If You Think You Have It

Time is critical with leptospirosis. If you work in or frequently visit the market and start experiencing flu-like symptoms:

Go to a health center or hospital immediately. Don't wait to see if it gets better. Tell them specifically that you work in or visit a wet market regularly.

Early antibiotic treatment is crucial. Leptospirosis responds well to antibiotics like doxycycline if caught early, but delays can lead to serious complications.

Free prophylaxis is available. If you've been significantly exposed to wet conditions in the market and are concerned, visit your local health center. The DOH offers free doxycycline for prophylaxis in high-risk situations.

PhilHealth coverage exists. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation provides coverage up to ₱21,450 for moderate to severe leptospirosis cases, so don't avoid seeking treatment due to cost concerns.