The Bacolod City Health Office has logged 13 cases of leptospirosis since the start of 2026 until April 4.

Three have died from the disease, the latest of whom was a 52-year-old man from Barangay Estefania who passed away on March 25.

Two cases were recorded in Barangay Estefania. The rest of the cases were recorded in Barangays Mandalagan, Sum-ag, Taculing, Felisa, and Banago.

These numbers are more than triple the number of cases in Bacolod City in the same period in 2025. That year, one died from the disease.

Marichu Lachica, barangay health worker in Estania, said those who experience symptoms of leptospirosis must seek health immediately at the health center.

Among the symptoms are high fever, severe headache, muscle ache (especially in the calves), chills, red eyes, and vomiting.

“Kung nilalagnat o may dinaramang sintomas, pumunta agad sa health center,” she said.

Leptospirosis is an illness caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans through contact with the urine of infected animals - commonly rats, dogs, and farm animals - or contaminated water or soil.