Negros Occidental has logged 4,296 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 30, an increase of 9.26 percent compared to the same period last year, the Provincial Health Office reported on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The figure is 364 cases higher than the 3,932 recorded in 2024 and nine dengue-related deaths were also reported.
Bago City topped the list with 1,017 cases and one death, followed by La Carlota City with 397 cases, and Kabankalan City with 381.
Other cities and towns in the top 10 include San Carlos, Isabela, Silay, Cauayan, Hinigaran, La Castellana, and Pulupandan.
Health officials said the age group most affected was 11 to 20 years old.
Cases ranged from infants to senior citizens, with patients as old as 94 years old.
Meanwhile, cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have also surged to 2,155, marking a sharp 707 percent increase compared to 267 cases in the same period last year.
No HFMD-related deaths have been reported.
Bago City also recorded the highest number of HFMD cases at 474, followed by Cadiz City and La Carlota City.
The most affected age group was children aged 1 to 10 years old, PHO records added.*