• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
As dengue cases are rising in Negros Occidental, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged barangay officials to stop the current trend of catching spiders, as they can help slow the spread of dengue.
Negros Occidental ranks second among six provinces and two highly urbanized cities in Western Visayas, having the highest number of dengue cases at 1,520, with six deaths, based on records of the Provincial Health Office for the period from January to August 3 this year.
Dengue cases have increased by 75.32 percent, compared to 867 cases in the same period last year.
BACOLOD CITY
The highly urbanized Bacolod City logged 434 cases, with two deaths, an increase of 36.9 percent, compared to 317, with three fatalities, in the same period last year.
Out of the 434 cases this year about 105 are new cases (July 28 to Aug. 3).
The barangays with the most dengue cases are Taculing with 60, Bata – 41, Villamonte – 32, Granada – 27, Estefania – 27, Mansilingan – 27, Cabug – 24, Alijis – 21, Banago – 20, Mandalagan – 20, Tangub – 17 and Sum-ag – 16.
SPIDERS
Noting that it is now the season for youngsters to collect spiders, Lacson called on barangay officials to discourage the youth from gathering spiders, and to allow spiders to live.
During this season, spider fights have become common in public markets and schools, with some even reportedly using it for illegal gambling.
Access to spiders has become easier because there are vendors who actually sell them to the public.
It may sound very trivial, but somehow it does help, said Lacson, apparently referring to spiders preying on mosquitoes.
Both the Provincial Health Office and Bacolod City Health Office continue to reiterate the importance of sustained measures and interventions, such as the implementation of ‘4S’ strategy works to combat dengue.
The 4S strategies include the search and destroy breeding places, self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and support fogging and spraying.*
