CHO: Two suspected dengue, leptospirosis deaths in Bacolod

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) reported two fatalities from suspected dengue and leptospirosis.

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment and Sanitation Division, stated that an 18-year-old girl from Barangay Estefania was the first fatality linked to suspected dengue.

Tan said the patient began experiencing symptoms on July 17 and was admitted to a hospital four days later. She died on July 27, Tan added.

The CHO recorded a total of 329 dengue cases in the city from January to July this year, an 11.5 percent increase from the 295 cases last year during the same period, which included three deaths.

Barangay Taculing has the highest number of dengue cases at 44, followed by Barangay Bata with 31, Granada with 24, Estefania with 21, Mansilingan with 20, Villamonte with 18, Alijis with 17, Banago with 16, Cabug with 15, Sum-ag with 14, Mandalagan with 13, and Tangub with 12.

Meanwhile, a 47-year-old construction worker from Barangay Pahanocoy was the fourth suspected leptospirosis death reported this year, according to Tan.

Tan said the patient had a history of wading in flood water from July 7 to 13. His illness was detected on July 17. He was admitted to a hospital due to difficulty breathing on July 22 and passed away the same day, Tan noted.

A total of 11 leptospirosis cases were reported this year, a 78.4 percent reduction from last year’s 51 cases, which included six deaths from January to July.

Barangays with the highest cases were Barangays 35 and Pahanocoy with two cases each, and one case each in Barangays Alijis, Punta Taytay, Vista Alegre, Mansilingan, Mandalagan, Felisa, and Barangay 6, according to CHO data.