Two More Die From Leptospirosis in Bacolod

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Two more residents died from leptospirosis in Bacolod, bringing the city’s total fatalities this year to five as of June 9, according to the City Health Office (CHO).

The fourth fatality was a 43-year-old man from Barangay 21 who had a history of wading through floodwaters on May 13 and 24.

He developed a fever and multiple episodes of diarrhea three days before his hospital admission on May 25.

He died on June 3 due to severe leptospirosis after more than a week of confinement.

Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment and Sanitation Division, said the fifth fatality was a 57-year-old woman from Barangay Handumanan who also waded through contaminated waters.

The victim reportedly used poison at home earlier this month to address a rat infestation, Tan said.

She experienced fever, difficulty breathing, and occasional coughing but did not seek medical consultation four days before her hospitalization.

She was admitted on June 8 and died the following day due to severe leptospirosis.

The three earlier deaths included a 52-year-old drainage cleaner from Barangay Villamonte on Jan. 25, a 47-year-old man from Barangay Banago on April 20, and a 17-year-old from Barangay Bata in May.

As of June 7, the CHO recorded 10 leptospirosis cases in Bacolod—up 25 percent from the eight cases and two deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Barangays Banago and Handumanan recorded the most cases with two each.

The remaining cases were from Barangays 12, 21, Estefania, Mansilingan, Bata, and Villamonte, with one case each.