500% rise in leptospirosis cases baffles execs

BACOLOD CITY—The Provincial Health Office is baffled by the 500-percent increase in the number of leptospirosis cases in Negros Occidental.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said an investigation was being conducted to determine why the cases had gone up when floods in the province were not abnormal.

Records showed 74 reported cases of leptospirosis from January to Sept. 15 this year compared to the 11 cases recorded over the same period last year.

The number of fatalities has also gone up to 12 since January this year compared to two fatalities in the same period last year.

The 74 leptospirosis cases were reported in the cities of Murcia (9), Bago (6),  Talisay (6), Silay (6), Cadiz (4), Humamaylan (4), Kabankalan (4), Victorias (3), La Carlota, (2), Sipalay (2) and San Carlos (2).

The other cases were reported in the  towns of EB Magalona (5), Hinigaran (3), Don Salvador Benedicto (3), Hinobaan (2), Ilog (2), La Castellana, (2), Manapla (2),  Pontevedra (2), Pulupandan (2),  Isabela (1),  San Enrique (1) and Valladolid (1).

The deaths were reported in Himamaylan (3), Talisay (2), Kabankalan (2), Bago (1), Victorias (1), La Castellana (1), Pulupandan (1) and Sipalay (1).