A vendor of dressed chickens was the first reported fatality from suspected leptospirosis in Bacolod City this year, the City Health Office reported on Tuesday, February 20
The 32-year-old male from Brgy Pahanocoy, Bacolod, had a wound on his left foot and became ill on January 2, was hospitalized on January 8 and died on January 12, the CHO said.
The most common reason for complications and death are delayed health seeking behavior and denial of leptospirosis infection, the CHO said.
There were two cases on leptospirosis recorded from January 1 to February 10 this year, or an 86.7 percent decrease from 15 cases and two deaths in the same period last year, the CHO report added.
Leptospirosis is caused by the leptospira spirochetes that are acquired from infected urine or feces of animals such as rats that contaminate food, water and soil, the Department of Health said.
The CHO also reported 60 dengue cases in Bacolod City from January 1 to February 10, or 15.5 percent lower than the same period last year with 71 cases recorded and one death.
Taculing had the most number of cases this year at 15.
There were also 27 suspected cholera cases and 55 suspected rotavirus cases reported this year, the CHO said.
Three deaths from suspected cholera were also reported.*