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BACOLOD CITY — Dengue cases in Negros Occidental have increased by 142.62 percent at the start of 2023.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said Negros Occidental recorded 148 dengue cases, including one death, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 4.
During the same period in 2022, the province had 61 dengue cases, including two deaths.
The localities with high number of dengue cases this year are San Carlos City, with 20, followed by Bago City (14), Silay City (14), Cadiz City (13), and Escalante City (8).
Tumimbang said they were monitoring the dengue situation in the province and taking proactive measures to prevent further rise in cases, especially since it has been raining lately.
“It’s too early to say that they (dengue cases) will rise further. It’s just the first quarter of the year. However, we should keep a close watch,” he said in an interview on Friday, Feb. 10.
Tumimbang said Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz ordered them to take proactive measures against dengue.
Dengue is an infection caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and has no known cure.
These mosquitoes can lay eggs in any space or container that holds clear and stagnant water like a bottle cap, dish dryer, plant axil, gutter, trash can, and old rubber tire, the Department of Health said.
The infection triggers a severe flu-like illness, often followed by a severe drop in an infected person’s platelet count.
Other symptoms are severe headache, pain behind the eyes, full-body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rashes.
The health department has directed local governments to conduct daily “search and destroy” activities of mosquito breeding sites; check and clean containers or water deposits for the presence of the Aedes mosquito larvae (locally known as kiti-kiti) and pupae; conduct barangay dengue brigade and organize a weekly simultaneous search-and-destroy activities to reduce the risk of dengue transmission; and conduct fogging or spraying operations for four consecutive weeks.
The DOH also appealed to people in the region to seek early consultation for suspected dengue cases, especially those with abdominal pain, bleeding, frequent vomiting, lethargy, and restlessness.
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