Health authorities boost leptospirosis drive during rainy season

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Local health officials have mobilized barangay health workers to distribute doxycycline or azithromycin as preventive medication against leptospirosis amid continued rains and recent typhoons.

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office (CHO) Environment and Sanitation Division, reported a 50% increase in leptospirosis cases this year.

As of July 12, the city has recorded 15 cases and six deaths, compared to 10 cases and four deaths during the same period last year.

Barangays with the highest number of cases include Banago, Handumanan, and Felisa, with two cases each.

One case each was reported in Barangays 12, Mansilingan, Bata, Villamonte, 21, Sum-ag, Estefania, 1, and Alangilan, based on CHO data.

Tan said these figures are based on hospital reports.

She added that most fatalities were linked to exposure to floodwaters or contaminated water.

One fatality had undocumented exposure, two had a history of swimming in rivers, and three had waded through floodwaters.

The fatalities included a 52-year-old drainage cleaner from Barangay Villamonte on Jan. 25 and a 47-year-old man from Barangay Banago on April 20.

A 17-year-old man from Barangay Bata died in May, while a 43-year-old man from Barangay 2 died on June 3.

A 57-year-old woman from Barangay Handumanan and a 20-year-old resident of Barangay Sum-ag both died on June 9.

Tan emphasized that poor waste management is a major contributor to the spike in cases.

“Garbage is the main culprit,” she said.

“It feeds rats, which then multiply.”

Controlling the rodents’ food supply is crucial to curbing their population and reducing the risk of infection, she added.

Tan also cited climate change as a contributing factor.

“While it cannot be prevented, we can help mitigate its effects,” she said.

“Everyone in the community must do their part. Proper waste disposal is key.”

She stressed the importance of practicing “reduce, reuse, recycle” in households and communities.

The CHO continues to raise awareness through advisories and social media campaigns.

Preventive medication is available in health centers for residents of all ages, including pregnant women.