• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental logged 5,446 dengue cases, including 13 deaths, last year, which is a decrease of 22.88 percent compared to 2024, according to records of the Provincial Health Office.
PHO reports indicated that there were 7,250 dengue cases in 2024, which is 1,804 cases more than the following year.
Children aged 1 to 10 years old accounted for the largest proportion of cases, making them the most vulnerable group, according to the health officials.
Despite the overall decline, all 31 local government units in Negros Occidental reported at least one suspected dengue case, underscoring the continued presence of the disease across the province.
Bago City recorded the most number of cases with 1,141 suspected infections and one death.
It was followed by La Carlota City with 486 cases and no fatalities, and Kabankalan City had 482 cases, also without deaths.
San Carlos City logged 310 cases and one death, while Silay City reported 262 cases, with one death.
Isabela, with 261 cases and three deaths, had the most dengue-related fatalities among the local government units.
Other areas included Cauayan with 198 cases with no deaths, Hinigaran with 168 cases with one death, and La Castellana and Himamaylan City with 157 and 151 cases, respectively, without any deaths.
While the decline in cases is considered a positive development, health authorities urged the public not to be complacent amid persistent transmission risks.
They stressed the need for sustained preventive measures, including eliminating mosquito breeding sites, using insect repellents and seeking early medical consultation at the first signs of dengue to prevent severe illness and deaths.*
