Leptospirosis claims 47 lives, cases up 231%
LINGAYEN—Leptospirosis has claimed 47 lives across Pangasinan and the cases are up by 231% from January to Sept. 24.
In a report by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) prepared by Rodhalia Binay-an, Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit coordinator, it said there are already 372 cases compared to last year’s only 110 cases and 17 deaths covering the same period.
The most commonly affected group was age 20-24 years old with 51 cases and majority of the afflicted were male with 323 cases.
The most number of deaths were in Dagupan City (13), Binmaley (6), Manaoag and Sual (3 each), San Carlos City, San Fabian, Sta. Barbara, Basista and Bolinao (2 each), Alaminos City, Bugallon, Mangatarem, Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Bayambang, Sto. Tomas, Villasis, Rosales and San Nicolas (1 each).
Meanwhile, the PHO has placed the following areas with the highest number of cases under leptospirosis watch list: Binmaley (43), Mangatarem (24), Mangaldan (16), San Fabian (15), Calasiao and Sta. Barbara (11 each), Aguilar (10), Bayambang and San Carlos City ( 9 each).
Dagupan, an independent component city, has the highest number of cases with 111 but it is not under the jurisdiction of the PHO thus it was not included in the watchlist area.
Most of the cases in Pangasinan recorded this year were in August with 179 and September with 90.
Last year, most of the cases also happened in August with 36 and September with 17.
These were the periods when parts of Pangasinan were flooded brought by monsoons rains and super typhoon “Ompong”.
The PHO culled the data on leptospirosis from the 14 government sentinel sites, Region 1 Medical Center and private hospitals in Pangasinan.
Leptospirosis is a rare bacterial infection spread to humans through animal urine, especially from dogs, rodents, and farm animals. (PhilStar Wire Service)
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