Two more probable leptospirosis deaths have been reported in Bacolod City in June.
The two new casualties are from barangays 21 and Handumanan, the Bacolod City Health Office reported on Sunday night, June 15.
That brings the probable leptospirosis deaths in Bacolod City this year to five, with three other fatalities reported in barangays Villamonte, Banago and Bata, the CHO reported.
The fourth casualty is a 43-year-old male from Barangay 21 who had waded in flood water three days before he was admitted into a hospital on May 25. He died on June 3, the CHO report said.
Three days before admission he had fever associated with multiple episodes of diarrhea, the CHO said.
The fifth casualty was a 57- year-old female from Brgy. Handumanan also with a history of wading in water.
Four days before admission she had difficulty breathing and fever with occasional cough.
One day before admission on June 8 the patient was awake with jaundice, she died on June 9, the CHO said.
There have been 10 leptospirosis cases reported in Bacolod City this year or a 25 percent increase from the same period last year that had 8 cases and two deaths.
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.*