BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is expecting a further increase in dengue cases in the months of August and September due to the rainy season.
Negros Occidental has 2,096 dengue cases with 10 deaths, an increase of 1,863 cases from January to July 9 this year, equivalent to an 823 percent increase when compared to 233 cases in the same period the previous year, according to a report of the Department of Health-Western Visayas.
During a zoom meeting with city and municipal health officers of 31 Negros Occidental local government units, Lacson said he was informed by the Provincial Health Office on the downward trend of dengue cases in the top 10 LGUs having the greatest number of cases.
Dengue cases in Bacolod City have been also recorded at 293, an increase of 159 percent compared to the previous year.
Lacson said it appears that City and Municipal Health Officers were not remiss their duties in the fight against dengue, including conducting an awareness campaign early as this year.
He also said that LGUs had allocated budget for dengue, as health officers admitted receiving assistance from the provincial government for addressing dengue cases in their respective areas.
Lacson said that he told CHOs and MHOs of his plans to meet with the mayors to ensure that there is a budget for dengue every year.
At the same time, he also reminded to activate their respective dengue task force, to address the dengue problem.
As to reports that some land owners of barred government health personnel from entering their private property, Lacson said he will ask the mayors to talk to them.*
