A 32-year-old male resident of Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, is the seventh fatality from leptospirosis recorded in the city this year.
The victim, who lived in Purok Maghimulat Aning, Pahanocoy, died from severe leptospirosis with acute kidney injury, the City Health Office (CHO) reported on Monday, September 29.
The man, who worked as a kitchen staff dishwasher, first suffered from a headache and decreased sensorium (a reduced level of consciousness or awareness) on September 8.
He was admitted to a hospital on September 9 and died the same day, the CHO report said.
Following recent flooding, Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral on Friday, September 26, reminded the public, especially those who waded through floodwaters during Severe Tropical Storm “Opong,” to seek prophylaxis to prevent leptospirosis.
The bacterial disease, which is spread through the urine of infected animals, particularly rats, can contaminate floodwaters.
Prophylaxis is free at all rural health units, Maestral said.*
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