The City Health Office (CHO) has reported a tenth probable death from leptospirosis in Bacolod City.
The fatality is a 15-year-old male from Purok Brotherhood, Barangay Sum-ag, who was admitted at a Bacolod hospital on Nov. 25 and died the next day from hypovolemic shock, the CHO reported on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
The child had a history of wading in water, the report added.
Leptospirosis cases in Bacolod City as of Nov. 29 reached 56, an 86.7 percent increase from 30 cases and eight deaths recorded last year.
The cases this year were reported in Sum-ag – 7, Handumanan – 6, Banago, Mansilingan, and Villamonte – 4 each, Estefania and Tangub – 3 each, and Alangilan, Felisa, Singcang, Granada, Barangay 14, and Vista Alegre – 2 each.
Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rats, which can contaminate floodwaters.
The primary danger of leptospirosis is its potential to cause severe, life-threatening multi-organ failure if not treated promptly, the Department of Health said.*