BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The City Health Office (CHO) confirmed over the weekend that seven people in this city have died due to leptospirosis.
CHO Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan, said they recorded a total of 35 confirmed leptospirosis cases, most of whom were residents of Barangay Singcang.
The cases belonged to the age group 21 to 30 years old, she added.
As the city continues to experience occasional and sometimes even heavy rains, Tan advised residents not to expose themselves in floodwaters, and if needed they must wear protective equipment such as boots and gloves.
If exposed, Tan advised to people immediately take prophylaxis for a period of 24 to 48 hours and seek immediate medical attention should they experience symptoms which include fever, headaches, chills, muscle aches, jaundice, red eyes, and abdominal pain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control in the United States, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus leptospira.
Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death./PN
