• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) logged 90 suspected leptospirosis cases, including four related deaths, especially in the 4th and 5th districts as of Nov. 24.
Among these are 72 individuals exposed to floodwaters after Typhoon Tino on Nov. 4, Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said on Monday.
Pinongan said she expects the number of leptospirosis cases to increase as Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City and Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City have yet to submit their respective reports.
The CLMMRH reported it has treated 26 cases of leptospirosis from Nov. 1 to 22, with more severe and moderate cases coming from southern Negros.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated by animal urine, often presents with early symptoms, including high fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, vomiting, and jaundice.
Pinongan said all 90 suspected cases were treated in various hospitals, with fatalities including vulnerable individuals, mostly senior citizens aged 60 and above while some are in their 20s.
Pinongan said the situation cannot yet be declared an outbreak.
“We’re seeing an upsurge in cases compared to last year, but we cannot declare an outbreak without laboratory-confirmed cases. Only the Department of Health (DOH) can make that declaration,” she said.
Pinongan urged residents exposed to floods to seek immediate medical attention if they develop fever, chills, body pain, or muscle aches.
“We are appealing, along with the DOH, to help disseminate information. Anyone showing signs and symptoms must go to the nearest health facility immediately so they can receive treatment,” she said.
DOH-Negros Island Region Director Razel Nikka Hao said the DOH and concerned local government units are closely monitoring and responding to all of the consequences, in terms of health, from the different disasters.
Hao, who presided a meeting with PHO officials, said they are developing strategies on how to address the problem.
After every flooding activity, the incubation period, meaning the time when the symptoms start to appear, is from five to 14 days.
“That is why, we have seen such cases now,” Hao said. | GB
