5 dead of leptospirosis in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Five residents of this city have died of leptospirosis, the city health services office (CHSO) reported yesterday.

The CHSO said 45 cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to Sept. 22.

Barangay Irisan recorded the highest number of cases at 11 followed by Bakakeng Central, Asin Road and Lourdes Subdivision Extension with three cases each; Cabinet Hill-Teacher’s Camp, Fairview Village and Gabriela Silang, two cases each, and Aurora Hill Proper, Gibraltar and Sto. Tomas Proper, one case each.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reminded residents to keep their surroundings clean. He said business establishments should comply with sanitation standards to prevent leptospirosis.

According to the World Health Organization, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals.

Human infection occurs through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment.