The City Health Office (CHO) on Sunday, June 22, reported one more probable leptospirosis death in Bacolod City bringing the total number to six this year.
The victim was identified as a 20-year-old male from Brgy. Sum-ag Bacolod City.
The patient had fever, joint pain, vomiting and nausea that was medicated with paracetamol and on consultation he was advised to hydrate.
He was admitted at a Bacolod hospital on June 8 and died the next day, the CHO reported.
He had swum in a river less than a week prior to onset of fever, the CHO said.
There have been 12 reported leptospirosis cases in Bacolod City this year and six deaths.
The five other fatalities were from barangays 21, Handumanan, Villamonte, Banago and Bata, the CHO reported.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, most commonly rats and other rodents and vermin. Its severe cases can be highly fatal, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria. It is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with urine, blood, or tissue of an infected animal, it said.
Direct contact commonly occurs when broken skin, open wounds, or the lining of the eyes, nose, sinuses, and mouth come in contact with infected material – in ordinary circumstances, this usually happens through contact with infected water or soil, the DOH said.*