Leptospirosis kills 11 in Bacolod in 2022

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) reported 45 suspected leptospirosis cases, including 11 deaths here in 2022.

According to Dr. Grace Tan, CESU head, the figure is 80 percent higher than the reported cases in 2021, which is 25 with six deaths.

Barangay Singcang-Airport topped the list with four deaths, while one death each was reported in Barangays Mandalagan, Bata, Cabug, Felisa, Taculing, Pahanocoy, and Estefania. The case fatality rate is at 24.4 percent, according to a report from CESU.

Barangay Singcang-Airport had the most number of cases with 7. Other cases were also reported in Barangays Taculing, Villamonte, Alijis, Alangilan, Handumanan, Pahanocoy, Bata, Estefania, Sum-ag, Mandalagan, 40, 36, Tangub, 16, Cabug, 1, 11, Felisa, Mansilingan, Granada, 2, and 39.

The age range of affected is 1 year to 68 years old, while the age group with the most number of cases ranges from 21 to 30 years old.

The risk factors for disease and deaths are 60 percent with history of wading in contaminated water, and more than 60 percent with delayed health seeking behavior or consultation, based on CESU’s report.

To address this, the City Health Office (CHO) conducts advocacies on appropriate garbage management and disposal, and provision of antibiotic prophylaxis in health centers, while the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) conducts clearing of water runways and drainage or sewerage.