Teen leptospirosis death raises Bacolod toll to 10

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The City Health Office (CHO) has recorded its 10th leptospirosis-related death this year following the passing of a 15-year-old boy from Barangay Sum-ag.

The patient developed abdominal pain and vomiting on Nov. 24 and was admitted to a hospital the next day.

He died on Nov. 26 and had a history of wading in floodwaters, according to the CHO.

The CHO said the teenager had also received prophylaxis at a private clinic.

The nine other fatalities include a 52-year-old drainage cleaner from Barangay Villamonte who died on Jan. 25 and a 47-year-old man from Barangay Banago who died on April 20.

Also recorded were 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.

Additional deaths involved a 20-year-old resident of Barangay Sum-ag, a 32-year-old kitchen staff member from Barangay Pahanocoy in September, a 30-year-old resident of Barangay Mansilingan on Nov. 25, and a 16-year-old resident of Barangay Sum-ag on Nov. 23.

As of Nov. 29, the CHO has logged 56 leptospirosis cases in the city, an 86.7 percent increase from the same period last year, which recorded 30 cases and eight deaths.

Barangay Sum-ag posted the highest number of cases with seven, followed by Barangay Handumanan with six.

Barangays Banago, Mansilingan, and Villamonte each recorded four cases.

Three cases each were reported in Barangays Estefania and Tangub.

Two cases each were recorded in Barangays Alangilan, Felisa, Singcang-Airport, Granada, Vista Alegre, and Barangay 14.

The CHO continues to urge residents to avoid wading in floodwaters and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, vomiting, or abdominal pain develop after possible exposure.