• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Dengue cases in Negros Occidental have reached 3,234, with nine deaths, as of August 31, according to reports of the Provincial Health Office.
Dengue cases increased by 214.29 percent for the period from January to Aug. 31 this year, compared to 1,029 during the same period of 2023, PHO reports indicated.
It also logged three more deaths within a period of one week, bringing to nine the total number of fatalities by the end of August.
Highly urbanized Bacolod City also logged 875 dengue cases from January to Aug. 24 this year, with three deaths, registering an increase by 139.7 percent, compared to 380 cases in the same period last year.
The top 10 local government units in Negros Occidental, in terms of the number of dengue cases, include Hinobaan – 312, Bago City – 274, Sipalay City – 234, Talisay City – 208, Sagay City – 199, San Carlos City – 198, Kabankalan City – 196, Silay City – 186, Cadiz City – 179, and Cauayan – 171.
The Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WV CHD) urged the public to seek immediate consultation once they manifest signs and symptoms of dengue as cases and deaths in the region continue to rise.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, program medical coordinator for emerging and re-emerging infectious disease cluster, said during a virtual presser on Wednesday, that parents should understand that they need to bring their children to health facilities within two days after they manifest signs and symptoms.
The DOH, as part of its interventions, has ongoing case and serotype surveillance, outbreak response monitoring, holds refresher on dengue clinical management and orientation on pesticide application, and conducts dengue death reviews.*
