Dengue cases more than double in NegOcc

The number of dengue cases in Negros Occidental has more than doubled based on new data released between January to May of this year.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said dengue cases as of this year are now at 389, more than double compared to the 172 recorded in the same period in 2021.

Dengue-related fatalities in the province are also now at four this year.

San Carlos City has the highest number of dengue cases with 36, followed by Hinigaran with 34, La Carlota City with 32, and Himamaylan City with 30.

The PHO head also confirmed that several personnel of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City have also fallen ill with dengue, and Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz has already ordered an investigation.

In response, PHO said TLJPH management was advised to remove all stagnant water within the hospital premises and the installation of antimosquito screens.

Tumimbang said they are now taking the necessary preventive measures in order to prevent cases from increasing any further.

He said they were expecting an increase in dengue cases every three years which is the trending cycle.

Earlier, Tumimbang said dengue cases are increasing, but it has yet to reach alarming levels.

He explained dengue cases will only be at an alert level if it exceeds more than 500 cases.

Dengue causes a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes.

According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.

For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.

The DOH renewed its call to the public to prevent dengue by implementing the enhanced 4-S strategy

in their households:

● Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites;

● Self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent;

● Seek early consultation; and

● Support fogging/ spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.