BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Dengue cases in Negros Occidental are up 357 percent for the first five months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
Records of the Department of Health-Western Visayas show it increased to 800 cases, after recording 105 new cases from May 21 to 28 this year.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang disclosed yesterday that Negros Occidental has not yet reached the threshold of epidemic level, despite surging dengue cases in the first six months of 2022, except for Hinigaran.
Tumimbang said that they will conduct fogging and spraying in Hinigaran, and a cleanup drive on Friday in all town barangays, as part of their effort to combat the spread of dengue cases.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said that the (PHO) should have implemented preventive measures against dengue since January, with the budget already available then.
Tumimbang explained that the distribution of anti-dengue chemicals was not delayed, as they gave priority to areas with clustering of dengue cases.
He, however, said they are making sure to monitor other areas with low number of dengue cases.
Based on the DoH-6 report for Morbidity Week #21, Negros Occidental remains on top among provinces and highly urbanized cities in Western Visayas, with highest number of dengue cases.
Tumimbang said they are also encouraging LGUs to purchase their own larvaecides as the provincial and national government cannot provide for all.
While there were no new cases from May 22 to 28, Bacolod City has 139 dengue cases, with four deaths. However, the total cases showed an increase of 70 percent compared to last year, DOH report further indicated.
Antique ranked second with having the greatest number of dengue cases at 518, followed by Iloilo – 330, Bacolod City -139, Capiz -118, Iloilo City -75, Guimaras -22.
In the entire Region 6, DOH-WV recorded a total 2,065 dengue cases, from Jan. 1 to May 28, this year, compared to 828 in the previous year.*
