BACOLOD CITY — The City Health Office here on Monday announced that it has already logged 12 deaths from leptospirosis as it also disclosed that continuing risk factors have caused an increase in cases of leptospirosis here by 204.5 percent from 1 January to 2 September this year compared to the same period in 2022.

CHO Environment Sanitation Division head Dr. Grace Tan said that since the start of the year, there have been 67 reported leptospirosis suspects, of which 55 cases are alive and 12 are deaths, while last year, there were only 22 cases, including five that expired.

"Some 70 percent of cases have declared exposure or contact with contaminated water or the ground," said Tan.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the leptospira spirochetes bacteria contracted through the urine of infected animals, especially rats.

Exposure to flood waters can cause infection, especially in those with cuts, wounds, or abrasions on their skin.

Tan said delayed health-seeking behavior and denial of infection are the most common reasons for complications and death due to leptospirosis.

The two latest deaths were recorded from 27 August to 2 September.

Barangays 16, Taculing, Banago, Handumanan, Villamonte, Bata, Pahanocoy, Granada, Singcang-Airport and Tangub recorded one death each, while Barangay 14 had two.