- CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod City logged its fourth leptospirosis death since the start of this year, the City Health Office reported April 14.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environmental Sanitation Division, said the 44-year-old resident of Barangay Villamonte in Bacolod was admitted to a hospital March 26 and died that same day.
“Onset of the illness was March 2, and other details are still for verification,” she added.
The first three fatalities were a 69-year-old male from Brgy. Taculing, who died on Jan. 4; a 28-year-old male from Banago on Feb. 18; and a 16-year-old male resident of Handumanan, who died on March 18.
Tan said that since the start of 2023, the CHO recorded 29 leptospirosis cases with four deaths. This is 2,400 percent higher than the reported lone case last year, who expired, she added.
There was no clustering of cases for the March 18 to April 8 period, but barangays with reported suspected leptospirosis included Estefania and Mansilingan with four each, Bata and Banago with three cases each, and Felisa and Villamonte with two cases each.
“Most common reason for complications and death was delayed health-seeking behavior,” Tan said.
She urged the public 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, to wear boots if there is a need to cross a flooded area, and to always wash feet after wading in the flood.
“Following exposure to contaminated water or soil, prophylaxis should be taken within 24 to 48 hours,” Tan said, adding that it is also important to seek immediate treatment or consultation once exposed to contaminated water or soil./CGC
