Dengue cases in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are continuing to increase despite a stepped-up campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding places.
The dengue cases recorded in Negros Occidental this year were 1,256 with six deaths as of March 8, an increase by 105 from the previous week, the Provincial Health Office reported on Thursday, March 13.
The 1,256 cases this year are a 412.65 percent increase compared to 2024 with 245 cases recorded for the same period.
Bago City still has the highest number of dengue cases this year at 254, followed by La Carlota and Kabankalan cities with 95 cases each.
Bacolod City had 199 dengue cases and one death as of March 1, the City Health Office (CHO) reported.
That is an increase by 161.8 percent compared to the 76 cases and no death in the same period last year, the CHO added.
Barangays Mansilingan, Alijis and Estefania had the highest number of dengue cases in Bacolod at 17 each.
Dr. Nikka Hao, Department of Health – Negros Island Region director, said they have been seeing an increase in dengue cases , and this is partly because of better reporting.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease.
The DOH and the provincial and city health offices are continuously conducting search and destroy operations versus mosquito breeding places, she said.
She said the 4S preventive measures are effective in mitigating dengue.
The 4S stands for search and destroy breeding sites; self-protection with appropriate clothing, repellants, and mosquito nets; seek early consultation with nearest health centers; and say yes to fogging, implemented in high-risk areas with impending outbreaks, Hao said.
“Our hospitals are also implementing Dengue Fast Lanes to ensure immediate management of these cases when referred,” she added.*