By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) confirmed over the weekend that leptospirosis had killed seven city residents.

CHO Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan said they have recorded a total of 35 confirmed leptospirosis cases in the city, mostly residents of the city’s Barangay Singcang.

The cases also ranged between 21 and 30 years old.

As the city continues to experience occasional and sometimes even heavy rains, Tan advised the city’s residents not to wade through contaminated flood waters, and if needed, they must wear protective equipment such as boots and gloves.

If exposed, Tan advised to immediately seek immediate medical attention should they experience the symptoms, which include fever, headaches, chills, muscle aches, jaundice, red eyes, and abdominal pain.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals.

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, the CDC said./DGB, WDJ