Bacolod City – Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection contracted through the urine of infected animals, especially rats, has claimed the lives of 19 individuals in Negros Occidental, along with 14 others in highly urbanized Bacolod City, according to reports of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and City Health Office, respectively.
From January to November 4 this year, the PHO recorded 149 suspected cases of leptospirosis, of which 19 have died, and 30 out of 31 local government units have recorded at least one suspected case of leptospirosis.
Murcia logged the most number of fatalities at 5.
On the other hand, the Bacolod City Health Office reported an increase of leptospirosis cases by 175.9 percent from January to October this year, compared to the same period in 2022.
CHO records indicated that 66 cases of leptospirosis, including 14 deaths, were recorded this year, while last year there were only 29, with five fatalities.
The Department of Health warned that exposure to flood waters can cause infections, especially to those with cuts, wounds, or abrasions on their skin.
According to CHO reports, 70 to 80 percent of cases have exposure or contact with contaminated water or ground, with the most common reasons for complications and death being delayed health-seeking behavior and denial of leptospirosis infection.
On the other hand, PHO also logged eight deaths on 91 cases of suspected cholera, with 19 cases reported in Murcia.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholera bacteria. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
