Bacolod leptospirosis cases up 50% – CHO

BACOLOD City – The number of leptospirosis cases in this capital city rose 50 percent, according to the City Health Office (CHO).

From January to Aug. 4 this year, the CHO has recorded 15 cases of the bacterial disease, higher compared to 10 cases in the same period last year.

Of the number so far this year, three cases led to death, the same as last year.

Medical Officer IV Grace Tan, head of CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division, said the first case of death due to leptospirosis in Bacolod this year was that of a 61-year-old vendor at Burgos Market in June.

The two other death cases – that of a 27-year-old man in Barangay Punta Taytay and a 28-year-old man in Barangay Granada – were recorded this month, Tan added.

Tan also said one of them did not wade in flood waters but still got the infection.

In order to prevent cases like this, Tan said Bacolodnons must practice “rodent control.”

Leptospirosis affects both humans and animals. Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment, according to the World Health Organization.

The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes, it added.

“We make sure nga wala sang ilaga sa aton vicinity,” Tan advised Bacolodnons, adding that this will prevent the infection acquired through ingestion of food or drinks that are contaminated by the leptospirosis bacteria.

Tan also urged the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to provide its personnel tasked to respond to floods gears that will protect them from the bacterial disease.

The CDRRMO personnel have no choice but to wade in floods, thus must be provided with the necessary protective gears, she stressed.

Tan also urged parents to advise their children to refrain from playing in flooded areas./PN

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