- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod City Health Office said Thursday, June 15, that the fifth leptospirosis fatality was logged in Barangay Bata, several months after the fourth death on March 26.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environmental Sanitation Division, said the latest fatality was a 53-year-old male, adding that the 42 cases with five deaths since the start of this year until June 3 registered a “320 percent increase” than the reported cases in the same period last year of 10, with four deaths.
There was no clustering of cases in the barangays from May 13 to June 3, Tan said, although the deaths this year, all of them males, were each logged in Taculing, Banago, Handumanan, Villamonte, and Bata.
Most common reason for complications and death is the delay in seeking consultation and treatment, the CHO said.
To prevent leptospirosis, the public is reminded to keep the environment clean and to dispose of garbage properly to avoid rat infestation, use mouse traps or other pest control measures, avoid wading or swimming in floodwater especially during rains, and wear boots if there is a need to cross a flooded area and always wash feet after.
Following exposure to contaminated water or soil, the CHO stressed that prophylaxis should be taken within 24 to 48 hours, and to seek consult in the nearest health center or doctor.
Meanwhile, dengue cases now reached 157 with two deaths, one each in Villamonte and Tangub, where clustering of cases from May 13 to June 3 was also logged, the CHO said.
On hand, foot, and mouth disease, 180 cases were logged, all alive, and 95 of them females.
To prevent and control potential HFMD outbreak, the CHO stressed the importance of hand-washing, especially before eating or after touching an infected person or body fluids; keeping an infected child or person at home to avoid transmission; and to avoid the sharing of items.
There were also five confirmed cholera and 39 suspected acute gastroenteritis/cholera in Bacolod, the CHO reported, as it urged the public to ensure the use of safe water for drinking and general use, to thoroughly clean and sanitize water containers prior to refilling, cook food adequately, and practice proper hygiene.
Tan also stressed the importance of zero open defecation, and the continuous monitoring and chlorination of water sources from artesian and deep wells./CGC
