7th leptospirosis death recorded in Bacolod City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 32-year-old kitchen staff member from Barangay Pahanocoy was confirmed as the seventh leptospirosis fatality this year, according to the City Health Office (CHO).

The victim, who worked as a dishwasher, was admitted to the hospital on September 9, a day after experiencing a headache.

He died the same day due to severe leptospirosis, with acute kidney injury listed as a secondary cause.

This most recent fatality occurred three months after the sixth death was recorded in June, involving a 20-year-old resident of Barangay Sum-ag.

Other fatalities earlier this year include a 52-year-old drainage cleaner from Barangay Villamonte on January 25, a 47-year-old man from Barangay Banago on April 20, a 17-year-old male from Barangay Bata in May, a 43-year-old man from Barangay 2 on June 3, and a 57-year-old woman from Barangay Handumanan on June 9.

As of September 20, the CHO has documented 25 leptospirosis cases in the city, reflecting a 38.9% increase compared to 18 cases and six deaths during the same period last year.

Barangays Villamonte and Handumanan recorded the most cases with three each, while Barangays Felisa, Banago, Estefania, and Mansilingan each logged two cases.