Bacolod records 2 leptospirosis deaths after typhoons

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Two new leptospirosis-related deaths were recorded here following a series of typhoons that struck the city last month, bringing the total number of fatalities to nine, according to the City Health Office.

The eighth fatality was a 30-year-old resident of Barangay Mansilingan who reportedly walked barefoot through floodwaters to work and later developed symptoms of leptospirosis.

He was admitted to the hospital on Nov. 20 after experiencing a fever on Nov. 19 and was diagnosed with moderate leptospirosis.

He died on Nov. 25 due to severe leptospirosis, also known as Weil’s disease.

The ninth fatality was a 16-year-old resident of Barangay Sum-ag, who died on Nov. 23, one day after being hospitalized.

The teenager reportedly had a one-week history of fever and abdominal pain but did not seek medical consultation.

According to his mother, he had waded through floodwaters but did not take any prophylactic medication.

As of Nov. 22, the City Health Office had recorded 50 confirmed leptospirosis cases.

Eleven barangays reported infections, with five cases in Barangay Handumanan, four in Barangay Banago, and three each in Barangays Villamonte, Mansilingan, Tangub, and Estefania.

Two cases each were also recorded in Barangays Felisa, 14, Alangilan, and Singcang-Airport.

Widespread flooding in Bacolod occurred in recent weeks due to the successive landfalls of Typhoons Tino, Uwan, and Verbena, which displaced thousands of families and damaged numerous homes.