39 deaths: Iloilo records 982 leptospirosis cases

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - Leptospirosis cases in the province of Iloilo hit a record high of 982 from January to November this year, and 39 of them have died of the disease already.

This was disclosed by Merlyn Sustento, sanitation inspector 2 of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office during an interview over Bombo Radyo-Iloilo the other day.

Cabatuan town topped the list with 314 cases and two deaths; Alimodian with 82 and one death; Sta. Barbara with 74 cases and one death: Dumangas with 53 cases and eight deaths and San Miguel with 47 cases and three deaths.

Sustento said that of the 42 towns and one component city in Iloilo, only three towns have no recorded case of leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a fatal disease caused by infection with bacteria of the genus Leptospira. It is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with the unhealed breaks in the skin, eyes, or with the mucous membranes.

The disease's outbreak was declared in some barangays of the province in August following the surge in the number of cases, which alarmed many health officials.

The high number of leptospirosis cases here was linked to the rat infestation that hit many farmlands in the province months ago.