Currently, Negros Occidental’s dengue cases are up by 948 percent, almost breaching the 1,000-mark compared to the number of cases in October last year while that in Bacolod City are 220 percent higher.
DOH-6 reported that the province’s cases as of October this year are at 4,865 with 29 deaths while there were only 464 cases last year with only three deaths.
Provincial Health Office (PHO) data showed that La Carlota City has the highest number of cases at 392, followed by Himamaylan City with 372, Kabankalan City with 357, Bago City with 333 and San Carlos with 315.
As to deaths, Hinigaran town had the most dengue fatalities with four residents who succumbed to the disease while the towns of Murcia, Calatrava and Himamaylan City have recorded three casualties each.
To arrest the continued increase in dengue cases, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said they conduct weekly surveillance at the various hospitals and urge prompt feedback.
Tumimbang said they also conduct investigations of suspected dengue deaths and cases, too.
He said they will also recommend declaring outbreaks in towns or cities that have reached the criteria for epidemic stage.
In Bacolod City, dengue cases are up by 204 percent compared to last year as the local health authorities recorded 842 cases with 12 deaths while there were only 227 cases last year with only three deaths.
Barangays Taculing and Singcang were identified as dengue hotspot areas or a barangay with an increasing number of dengue cases for four consecutive weeks.
Barangay Mansilingan had the highest number of cases with 105 followed by Barangay Taculing – 70; Estefania – 60; Tangub – 58; Singcang- Airport – 53; Villamonte – 50; Alijis – 48; Cabug – 45; Sum-ag – 40; Mandalagan – 39; Handumanan-32; Bata-29; Granada-26; Vista Alegre-25; and Banago- 22.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of City Health Office’s Environment Sanitation Division, said they were conducting indoor or outdoor residual spraying in areas with clustering cases and public cases like in Barangays Handumanan, Taculing and Vista Alegre.
She said fogging and spraying were also conducted at the Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient (BRO) Center to prevent the increase of dengue infection.
Tan also urged Bacolodnons to search and destroy all breeding and nesting places of mosquitos.
She disclosed that those who have fever or flu-like symptoms should seek early treatment or consultation.*