• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The death toll of leptospirosis in Negros Occidental climbed to 28, with 13 of those fatalities being recorded in highly urbanized Bacolod City, records of the Provincial Health and City Health Offices, respectively indicated.
Of the 15 deaths logged in Negros Occidental, Murcia recorded the greatest number of fatalities at five out of 125 suspected cases, for the period of January to September 16 this year.
On the other hand, Bacolod City had 70 cases of suspected leptospirosis, which is an increase of 191.7 percent, compared to 24 cases, with five deaths, the previous year.
The Bacolod City Health Office report added that 70 percent of leptospirosis cases were exposed to contaminated water.
It added that most common reason for complications and death are due to delayed health seeking behavior and denial of leptospirosis infection.
Leptospirosis is a disease spread from animals to humans, caused by infection with the bacteria Leptospira. The most common sources of infection are contact with infected animal urine, or contaminated soil or water.
For the same period, the PHO also reported eight cholera deaths in Negros Occidental, out of 87 cases.
While Bacolod City logged 206 cases of cholera, no death was reported, the CHO report said.*
