BACOLOD City — The City Health Office (CHO) has recorded the city’s first leptospirosis-related death for 2026, prompting health officials to reiterate the importance of early symptom recognition and immediate medical consultation to prevent severe complications.
The fatality involved a 45-year-old male vegetable vendor from Barangay Mandalagan who was admitted to a hospital on January 5 and died the same day. The patient reportedly had a history of wading in flooded or muddy areas, a known risk factor for leptospirosis exposure.
According to the CHO, the patient experienced fever and muscle pain 11 days prior to admission but did not seek medical consultation. About a week before hospitalization, he developed jaundice or yellowish discoloration of the skin, abdominal discomfort, severe vomiting, and difficulty breathing, which prompted emergency consultation.
He was admitted with suspected severe leptospirosis complicated by uremic encephalopathy.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira species and is commonly transmitted through water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. Infection may occur when contaminated water enters the eyes, nose, mouth, or open wounds, or when floodwater is accidentally swallowed.
The CHO emphasized that early symptoms of leptospirosis may include fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, and red eyes. In severe cases, patients may develop jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing, kidney failure, and altered mental status.
As of January 31, 2026, Bacolod has recorded two leptospirosis cases with one death during morbidity weeks 1 to 4. This reflects a 100 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which logged one case but no deaths.
The CHO urged residents who have been exposed to floodwater, muddy areas, or potentially contaminated soil to seek immediate consultation at the nearest health center or private physician for evaluation and possible prophylactic treatment.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial. Delaying consultation can lead to severe complications and even death,” the CHO said.
Residents are also advised to avoid wading in floodwaters whenever possible, wear protective footwear, cover open wounds, maintain proper sanitation, and implement rodent control measures to reduce the risk of infection./PN
