- GILBERT BAYORAN
Negros Occidental logged 20 deaths related to suspected leptospirosis, dengue, and cholera, from Jan. 1 to July 29, the Provincial Health Office said.
The PHO said 93 suspected leptospirosis cases were logged in 28 of 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, with Murcia town recording the highest number of deaths at four.
The Department of Health said leptospirosis tends to occur frequently in urban flood- prone areas.
Humans are infected through direct and indirect contact with domesticated and wild animals, with water or soil contaminated with infected urine or tissues as the most common source of infection.
The PHO also reported 793 dengue cases, as of July 29, compared to 2,331 infections last year, or a reduction of 74.62 percent.
However, it recorded six dengue-related deaths.
San Carlos City logged the most number of dengue cases at 105, followed by Bago City with 84; Silay City, 58; Talisay City, 47; Isabela, 41; Hinigaran, 40; Cadiz and La Carlota with 38 each, and 26 in Calatrava.
The PHO also reported four cholera-related deaths in the same period, out of 43 cases.
San Carlos City again has the highest number of cholera cases at 13.
Meanwhile, the PHO logged 1,762 suspected cases of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), with no fatality recorded.
La Carlota logged the highest number of HFMD cases at 292; Silay City, 227; Cauayan, 200; Talisay City, 161; Kabankalan City, 151; Cadiz City, 95; Manapla, 91; Salvador Benedicto, 64; and 60 in Sipalay City./GB
