BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Cases of leptospirosis and related deaths in Negros Occidental this year have increased by several fold compared to 2021, according to a report of the Department of Health Western Visayas.
From January to December 3 this year, DOH6 report said leptospirosis cases rose from 70 the previous year to 225.
Deaths also increased from 10 to 34 this year, the report added.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals, can enter the body through the skin, eyes, nose or mouth, especially if the skin is broken from a cut or scratch.
Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters, DOH said.
Leptospirosis cases also increased in Bacolod City from 25 last year to 41 this year, with deaths also increasing to nine, from six last year.
Negros Occidental topped leptospirosis cases in Western Visayas at 225, followed by Iloilo with 141, Antique – 101, Bacolod City – 41, Capiz – 38, Guimaras – 26, Aklan – 15 and nine in Iloilo City.
Moreover, Negros Occidental has the most number of deaths at 34, Iloilo – 13, Antique – 12, Bacolod City – 9, Aklan – 7, Capiz – 3, Guimaras – 2 and one in Iloilo City.
All over Western Visayas, deaths also increased from 43 to 81, as cases soared from 343 to 596, the report added.*
