• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental logged nine deaths due to suspected leptospirosis, while six others died because of dengue, from January to July 29, according to a report of the Provincial Health Office.
During the same period, PHO reports indicated 93 suspected leptospirosis cases in 28 of 31 local government units in Negros Occidental, with Murcia recording the greatest number of deaths at four, out of the nine suspected cases.
According to the DOH, leptospirosis tends to occur in urban flood-prone areas.
Humans are infected through direct and indirect contact with domesticated and wild animals, with water or soil contaminated with infected urine or tissues as the most common source of infection.
The PHO also reported 793 dengue cases as of July 29, compared to 2,331 cases the previous year, indicating a reduction of 74.62 percent.
However, six dengue-related deaths were also recorded.
San Carlos City logged the greatest number of dengue cases at 105, followed by Bago City – 84, Silay City – 58, Talisay City – 47, Isabela – 41, Hinigaran – 40, the cities of Cadiz and La Carlota at 38 each, and 26 in Calatrava.
PHO further reported four cholera-related deaths during the same period, out of 43 cases.
San Carlos City again had the most cholera cases at 13.
The PHO also reported 1,762 suspected cases of hand-foot-mouth diseases (HFMD), although it recorded no fatality.
La Carlota logged the highest number of HFMD cases at 292, Silay City – 227, Cauayan – 200, Talisay City – 161, Kabankalan City – 151, Cadiz City – 95, Manapla – 91, Salvador Benedicto – 64, San Carlos City and Sipalay City – 60.*
