Three young boys aged 8 to 11 years old succumbed to dengue in Silay City and Bacolod City this month, health authorities said Wednesday, Sept. 16.
In Silay City, an 11-year-old boy, who was a resident of the Yolanda Housing settlement in Barangay E. Lopez, died from dengue shock syndrome at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital on Tuesday, September 15, Dr. Vanessa Mahrie Madayag, Assistant City Health Officer, said.
Fogging operations were conducted at the Yolanda Housing settlement, she said.
Madayag said there was an increase in dengue cases in Silay in August.
In July there were 52 cases, and in August there were 94 cases, representing a more than 80 percent increase, she said.
Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego called on residents to clean their surroundings and remove mosquito breeding places to prevent the spread of dengue.
In Bacolod City, dengue deaths this year have increased to five with two more recent cases reported, the City Health Office (CHO) reported on Wednesday.
In Barangay Mansilingan, a 9-year-old boy developed a fever while at school on August 28. Despite being given paracetamol at home, no initial medical consultation was sought.
As his condition deteriorated, causing severe vomiting, he was rushed to a hospital on September 1, the CHO said. He died on September 2 from dengue hemorrhagic shock complicated by massive pulmonary hemorrhage, it added.
In Barangay 16, an 8-year-old boy developed a fever on September 1. By September 5 and 6, the patient developed worsening abdominal pain and persistent vomiting before being admitted to the hospital early in the morning on September 7, the CHO said. He died on September 8.
Clinical diagnoses revealed severe dengue complicated by pre-existing conditions, including severe pediatric community-acquired pneumonia and disseminated tuberculosis affecting the pulmonary, bone, cardiac, and gastrointestinal systems, the CHO said.
Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Aedes mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a person, the virus enters the bloodstream, causing symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and a characteristic skin rash.
In severe cases, it can progress to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever or Dengue Shock Syndrome, leading to plasma leakage, severe bleeding, organ distress, and potentially fatal shock.
Because Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs in containers holding standing water, controlling mosquito populations and breeding sites is the primary defense against the disease’s spread.
Local health officials continue to emphasize that early detection is critical in preventing severe dengue complications such as Dengue Shock Syndrome.
Parents and guardians are strongly advised to bring children showing signs of fever, abdominal pain, or persistent vomiting to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately rather than relying solely on home medication.*
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