Dengue cases in Negros Occidental have further increased by 205 percent compared to last year, which is the highest in Western Visayas, a Department of Health 6 official reported Monday, May 23.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, medical officer IV of the DOH Western Visayas Infectious Disease Section, in a virtual press conference said from January 1 to May 14 this year the dengue cases in WV were 1,355 or 75 percent higher than last year’s 775 in the same period.
Negros Occidental had the highest increase at 205 percent followed by Antique with 104 percent, Iloilo – 59 percent, Bacolod City – 57 percent, Aklan – 39 percent and Guimaras – 27 percent, she said.
Capiz and Iloilo City had less dengue cases this year compared to 2021.
Negros Occidental recorded 518 cases and five deaths from January 1 to May 14 this year, compared to 170 and three deaths in the same period in 2021, Natalaray said.
In Negros Occidental the cities to watch out for are La Carlota, Himamaylan, San Carlos, Sagay Cadiz, Kabankalan, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and the municipalities of Hinigaran, Calatrava, Isabela, Binalbagan, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Pontevedra, Murcia and Valladolid, she said.
Bacolod City recorded 121 cases this year compared to 77 last year or an increase of 57 percent, Natalaray said. There were also four dengue deaths recorded in Bacolod City this year and two in 2021, she added.
The Bacolod barangays to watch are Singcang-Airport, Estefania, Alijis and Mansilingan.
DOH said Dengue Task Forces from the provincial city, municipality to barangay levels should be activated and the 4S strategy should be implemented.
The 4S campaign stands for “Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places, “Secure Self Protection” from mosquito bite, “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging” as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak.*