• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Death toll due to leptospirosis in Negros Occidental has risen to 31, latest combined data of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) showed.
As of Sept. 30, Negros Occidental logged 17 deaths while 14 were recorded in the highly- urbanized city.
Leptospirosis cases in Negros Occidental also increased to 128.
Bacolod City reported 75 cases, compared to only 25 for the same period last year, registering an increase of 200 percent, the CHO report said.
According to the Bacolod CHO, 70 percent of leptospirosis cases had been exposed to contaminated water. Complications and deaths were blamed on the delay in seeking medical care.
Meanwhile, Murcia along with cities of Talisay and Silay recorded 10 cases each, with seven fatalities.
Of the 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, 30 have one each of suspected leptospirosis case.
The 20 to 30 age group has the most number of cases, the PHO report added. | GB
