Bacolod leptospirosis cases up by 12.5%

LEPTOSPIROSIS cases in Bacolod City have increased by 12.5 percent from January to May 24, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

Records from the City Health Office (CHO) revealed that the city had nine leptospirosis cases with two fatalities this year.

During the same period in 2024, there were eight cases and two deaths.

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO’s Environment Sanitation Division, said that of 61 barangays, Banago led the list with two cases, followed by Barangays 12, 21, Villamonte, Estefania, Mansilingan, Bata and Handumanan with one case each.

She said the two fatalities include a 47-year-old man from Barangay Banago, and the 52-year-old drainage cleaner from Barangay Villamonte.

Tan noted that the most common reasons for complications and death include health seeking behavior and denial of leptospirosis exposure.

Tan urged Bacolodnons with a history of wading or contact with water or ground possibly contaminated with leptospira in rat or animal urine to go to their nearest health center or private medical doctor for prophylaxis as soon as possible, segregate and manage garbage properly, and avoid wading or coming in contact with “tubig baha” or any damp, dirty ground or soil as this may have leptopira organisms.

The CHO also encouraged the public to be involved in the prevention and control of the rat population and to report to their respective barangays any uncovered manholes, ditches, open canals, or septic vaults that could be breeding places for rats for appropriate management. (MAP)