High dengue cases in Negros Occ., Bacolod spark fresh warnings

CLEANUP DRIVE Government employees in Bacolod City join the nationwide initiative of the Department of Health to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites in this February photo. Anchored on the theme “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito,” the antidengue campaign urges Filipinos to work together every 4 p.m. in identifying and destroying all mosquito breeding sites. —NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE

BACOLOD CITY—Dengue cases in Negros Occidental and this city continue to increase despite a stepped-up campaign to eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes, local health authorities said.

In Negros Occidental, dengue cases reached 1,256 with six deaths from Jan. 1 to March 8 this year, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

The number is 412.65-percent higher compared to the 245 cases recorded over the same period last year, the PHO said.

Bago City has the highest number of dengue cases at 254, followed by the cities of La Carlota and Kabankalan, with 95 cases each.

Bacolod City, which is politically independent of the province, had 199 dengue cases and one death as of March 1, the City Health Office (CHO) reported.

According to the CHO, the number increased by 161.8 percent compared to the 76 cases and no deaths in the same period last year.

The villages of Mansilingan, Alijis and Estefania logged the highest number of dengue cases in Bacolod at 17 each.

Dr. Nikka Hao, director of the Department of Health (DOH)—Negros Island Region, explained that the increase in dengue cases this year was due to better reporting of the mosquito-borne illness.

Fast lanes

Hao said the DOH and the provincial and city health offices are continuously conducting search and destroy operations to get rid of the mosquito-borne illness.

“Our hospitals are also implementing dengue fast lanes to ensure immediate management of these cases when referred,” she said.

The DOH earlier reminded the public to intensify dengue control measures, emphasizing the need to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging in hotspot areas.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus, primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and skin rashes.

In severe cases, the disease can progress to life-threatening conditions marked by severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, blood in bodily excretions, and breathing difficulties.