Bacolod City – Fatalities due to suspected leptospirosis and dengue cases in Negros Occidental have further increased to 19, according to the morbidity week 32 report of the Provincial Health Office, for the period from January 1 to August 12 this year.
Deaths due to leptospirosis were recorded at 13, with five in Murcia, two each in Silay City and Don Salvador Benedicto, and one each in Kabankalan City, Sipalay City and Sagay City, the PHO report further indicated.
Negros Occidental also logged six deaths in dengue, the report added.
Dengue cases however dropped by 76.06 percent, or 2,852 less cases, compared to 3,432 in the same period the previous year.
San Carlos City has the greatest number of dengue cases at 117, Bago City – 95, Silay City – 66, Talisay City – 52, Hinigaran – 46, Isabela – 44, Binalbagan – 43, La Carlota City – 41, and 38 each in Cadiz City and Cauayan.
The Department of Health reported that leptospirosis tends to occur frequently in urban flood prone areas.
Humans are infected through direct and indirect contact with domesticated and wild animals, and water or soil contaminated with infected urine or tissues, as the most common sources of infection.
A total of 101 suspected leptospirosis cases were reported by PHO in 28 of 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, with 20 to 30 year-old age group having the greatest number of cases.
The DOH again advised the public not to wade in flooded areas.
“If it can’t be avoided, one should wear rubber boots or other forms of protection,” it said.
The PHO also reported six deaths from in cholera in Negros Occidental. (Gilbert Bayoran The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)