By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) observed a significant decline in dengue cases but expressed concern about a spike in leptospirosis infections.
Based on CHO’s weekly disease surveillance report from March 29 to April 4, dengue cases dropped by 54.1 percent, with 134 cases recorded compared to 292 cases and two deaths during the same period last year.
The highest number of dengue cases was reported in Barangay Singcang with 20, followed by Mansilingan with 17, with most patients belonging to children aged one to 10 years old and affecting both males and females almost equally.
Meanwhile, leptospirosis cases rose sharply by 200 percent, with 12 cases and three probable deaths recorded this year, compared to only four cases and one death during the same period in 2025.
Barangays Estefania and Mandalagan reported the highest number of cases with two each, prompting health officials to closely monitor the situation.
Other diseases
The CHO also reported 10 cases of measles-rubella with no deaths, including three laboratory-confirmed measles cases and six cases later discarded as non-measles or non-rubella.
Mansilingan logged the highest number of cases with three, followed by Taculing with two.
In addition, 11 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) were recorded with no deaths, with Barangays Villamonte and Estefania reporting the highest number of cases at two each.
For acute gastroenteritis, the CHO documented 26 cases with no suspected deaths, with Barangays Vista Alegre and Villamonte having the most cases at three each.
Rotavirus cases reached 142 with no deaths, with Singcang recording the highest at 17 cases, followed by Barangays Mansilingan, Sum-ag, Cabug, and Mandalagan with eight cases each.
Overall, health officials noted that while most diseases did not result in fatalities during the monitoring period, leptospirosis remains a major concern due to the recorded probable deaths.
The CHO emphasized that all data are subject to change due to possible late reports and urged the public to continue observing preventive measures such as proper sanitation, maintaining cleanliness, and seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms arise./CJ, WDJ