• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Health Office has stepped up efforts to combat the deadly dengue fever in Negros Occidental, where cases increased by 17.7 percent, with three mortalities reported.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan expressed alarm over the clustering of dengue cases in some barangays of far south local government units in Negros Occidental, as she noted during inspections, that waste clogged up canals, which then serve as breeding grounds for mosquitos.
Pinongan said PHO personnel have been dispatched to dengue affected barangays, and coordinated with the concerned LGUs in the fight against dengue.
As of July 13, PHO Negros Occidental logged 874 dengue cases, marking an increase of 17.7 percent, compared to 742 cases it documented during the same period in 2023.
Pinongan reported that three children have died due to dengue.
Dengue fast lanes have already been activated in government hospitals.
Pinongan also noted that mostly children were admitted to hospitals, although some were already advised to go home.
However in highly urbanized Bacolod City, dengue cases have dropped by 17.3 percent, although its City Health Office (CHO) logged two deaths, as of July 6.
From January to July 6, the CHO recorded 206 dengue cases, compared to 249 in the same period last year.
The CHO also logged an 85.4 percent reduction in cases of leptospirosis in Bacolod City, from 48 cases and five deaths in 2023, to seven cases with two deaths this year.
On the other hand, the PHO is also remaining vigilant on cases of leptospirosis in the province, which has been minimal, amid the rainy season, according to Pinongan.*
