BACOLOD CITY — A 52-year-old resident of Barangay Estefania here has been reported as the third suspected leptospirosis fatality in the city this year, according to the City Health Office (CHO).
The victim had a history of wading in water puddles after rain. Three days later, he experienced three episodes of loose bowel movement associated with two episodes of vomiting.
He also had an undocumented fever and yellowish discoloration of the skin, with calf tenderness that prompted an emergency consultation, leading to hospital admission on March 23.
He died two days later.
A 45-year-old vegetable vendor from Barangay Mandalagan here was recorded as the first fatality from suspected leptospirosis in the city in January.
The second fatality was a 34-year-old driver and resident of Barangay Felisa, who had a history of wading in floodwater and died on Feb. 17 after being confined in a hospital for three days.
CHO records indicate that from March 22 to 28, 12 suspected leptospirosis cases were reported in the city.
The figure represents a 200 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when only four cases and one fatality were recorded.
Barangay Estefania logged two cases, with one each in Barangays 10, 16, 33, 39, Mandalagan, Sum-ag, Taculing, Singcang-Airport, Felisa, and Banago.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection commonly transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. The disease is prevalent during the rainy season and in flood-prone areas, with symptoms including fever, muscle pain, and jaundice that can progress to organ failure if untreated. (Glazyl M. Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)