THE Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Negros Occidental is closely monitoring the cases of leptospirosis here.
From January to July this year, 85 cases of leptospirosis were recorded with eight deaths, PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said.
In 2017, from January to December, 178 leptospirosis cases were reported with 17 deaths.
Tumimbang said compare to last year's situation, the number of cases this year is almost the same.
He reminded the public to observe cleanliness at all times because like dengue, leptospirosis also requires cleanliness to avoid rats.
Most of the cases of leptospirosis this year are reported in northern Negros especially in E.B. Magalona and Manapla, Tumimbang added.
Signs and symptoms of leptospirosis include headaches, muscle pains, fevers, and bleeding from the lungs or meningitis.
Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal.
Rats, mice, and moles are the most common hosts.
"That's why we advise the public to avoid wading on the rice fields, slum areas which are habited by rats, to avoid the deadly bacteria," Tumimbang said.
Like dengue, leptospirosis is also a year-round disease.
