• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Leptospirosis has claimed a third victim in Bacolod City, a 17-year-old from Barangay Bata, who died on the last week of May while being treated in a medical facility, according to the City Health Office (CHO).
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment Sanitation Division, said on Tuesday (June 10) the victim, who had a history of swimming in a river, was admitted in a hospital due to fever, leg pains, and muscle weakness.
As of May 31, the CHO has logged nine cases of leptospirosis in Bacolod City.
The two other fatalities were residents of Barangays Villamonte and Banago.
Cases of leptospirosis in the city increased by 12.5 percent compared to last year.
In a public advisory, the Department of Health said leptospirosis is caused by the leptospira bacteria, which can be contracted through water and soil contaminated with the urine or feces of infected animals.
The disease is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine of infected rats, pigs, cows, and dogs. | GB
