THE Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) has recorded the sixth death due to suspected leptospirosis in 2025.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment Sanitation Division, said the latest victim was a 20-year-old male and a resident of Barangay Sum-ag.
She said the victim was admitted to the hospital on June 8 and expired on the following day.
Tan added that the victim has a history of swimming in the river. He experienced fever, joint pain, vomiting and nausea.
Tan noted the victim also medicated with paracetamol and sought consultation and was advised to hydrate.
The victim noted history of swimming in the river less than a week prior to onset of fever. His symptoms were relieved but experienced continued headaches and on and off fever.
Two days prior to admission, she said diarrhea associated with vomiting continued.
Tan said the victim was the sixth to succumb to leptospirosis this year.
The first fatality was a 52-year-old drainage cleaner from Barangay Villamonte, the second was a 47-year-old man from Barangay Banago, and the third was a 17-year-old male resident of Barangay Bata.
The fourth was a 43-year-old male from Barangay 21, and the fifth was a 57-year-old female from Barangay Handumanan.
CHO records showed that leptospirosis cases in Bacolod City increased by 50 percent from January to June 14, 2025, compared to the same period last year.
Tan said they recorded 12 leptospirosis cases, including six deaths, during that period.
In 2024, there were eight cases with two fatalities during the same period.
Of the 12 cases this year, Barangays Banago and Handumanan topped the list with two cases each, followed by Barangays 12, 21, Villamonte, Estefania, Mansilingan, Sum-ag, Felisa and Bata with one case each.
The CHO urged Bacolodnons who have a history of wading in or coming into contact with water or soil possibly contaminated with leptospira from rat or animal urine to visit their nearest health center or private doctor for prophylaxis as soon as possible. (MAP)