BACOLOD City – The City Health Office (CHO) has reported a decline in dengue cases but an increase in leptospirosis incidents in Bacolod City, based on the latest data.
The CHO revealed that from January to October this year, the city recorded 479 dengue cases, marking a 47.2 percent decrease from the 907 cases reported during the same period last year.
The data also indicated a reduction in the number of dengue-related fatalities, with three deaths this year compared to 13 in the previous year.
Conversely, leptospirosis cases have surged to 66, with 14 deaths – representing a 176 percent increase from last year’s 29 cases and five fatalities.
Further analysis of CHO data shows two fatalities in Barangay 14, while the barangays of Taculing, Banago, Villamonte, Handumanan, Bata, Granada, Singcang-Airport, Tangub, Alijis, and Pahanocoy each reported one death.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division, attributed the decrease in dengue cases to ongoing information campaigns, fogging activities, and the use of larvicides.
She also noted that the rise in leptospirosis cases was primarily among individuals who had been exposed to contaminated water or soil.
According to Dr. Tan, the fatalities related to leptospirosis were largely due to delayed treatment, with patients either denying the infection or refusing to acknowledge its severity.
The CHO is actively continuing its prevention campaigns, particularly targeting vulnerable populations, and ensuring the availability of chemoprophylaxis. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
