Dengue related deaths in Negros Occidental have hit six with cases continuing to rise, Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Officer, said Wednesday, August 7.
There have been 1,520 dengue cases and six deaths in Negros Occidental from January 1 to August 3, she said.
The cases are 75.32 percent higher than the 867 in the same period last year, Pinongan said.
The majority of those affected are from 1 to 10 years old, she added.
Government and private hospitals and rural health units are full because of the rise in dengue patients, additional beds and wards are being set up, she said.
The provincial government has also opened dengue fast lanes in all its health facilities, Pinongan added.
Patients with dengue symptoms should seek medical help at their nearest health facilities, she said.
The highest number of dengue patients were in Sipalay City, Hinoba-an and Cadiz City.
Pinongan stressed the need for cleanup drives to remove breeding places of mosquitoes that are dengue carriers.*