BACOLOD City – Leptospirosis cases in this city have increased even as dengue cases significantly declined despite the ongoing rainy season, records from the City Health Office (CHO) showed.
Based on CHO data for morbidity week 34 covering August 17 to 23, leptospirosis cases rose by 26.7 percent compared to the same period last year. From January 1 to August 23, a total of 19 cases with six deaths were reported, higher than the 15 cases and six deaths recorded in the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, dengue cases reached 754 with five deaths, reflecting a 26.7 percent decrease from last year’s 1,029 cases with three deaths.
Despite the decline in dengue cases, the Bacolod City Council recently passed a resolution urging the CHO and all 61 barangays to intensify prevention campaigns against dengue, leptospirosis, and influenza during the rainy season.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, author of the resolution, said the spike in cases observed in July called for urgent and community-based interventions.
“This resolution is about saving lives. Dengue, leptospirosis, and influenza are preventable diseases. If we intensify information drives, cleanup campaigns, and early detection measures, we can significantly reduce infections and avoid overwhelming our hospitals,” he stressed.
The resolution also highlights the Department of Health’s “4S Kontra Dengue” strategy — search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, self-protection, seek early consultation, and support spraying — as well as proper community-level interventions against leptospirosis and influenza. Barangays, being the frontline units of governance, were urged to spearhead clean-up drives, health education, and preventive measures.
“This is a collective responsibility. By working together — the government, barangays, and our citizens — we can protect public health and prevent unnecessary deaths during this rainy season,” the councilor added./PN
