Dengue cases in Negros Occidental up by 421 percent

IMAGE Daniella Marie Agacer

BACOLOD CITY — Dengue cases in Negros Occidental have increased by 421.65 percent with six recorded deaths in the first month and a half of 2025.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) said in a report that there were 1,012 reported dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22, an increase by 818 cases compared to the 194 cases in the same period last year.

Bago City still had the most number of cases at 209, followed by La Carlota City with 74, Kabankalan City – 70, San Carlos City – 67, Silay City – 58, Cauayan – 46, Pulupandan – 45, Talisay City – 42, Hinigaran – 36, and Isabela – 33.

Dr. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, advised persons with dengue symptoms to seek medical help immediately at their nearest health facilities to avoid a surge in cases.

She also stressed the need for cleanup drives to remove breeding places of mosquitoes that are dengue carriers.

Pinongan said they were practicing the Department of Health’s (DOH) “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign to combat the increase in dengue cases.

“It is being instilled as a daily practice in all the barangays for residents to clean their surroundings every 4 p.m. and to ensure the removal of mosquito breeding places,” she said.

She said 4 p.m. is when the mosquitoes usually come out.

“Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water in bottles, pails, old tires, and gutters which must be removed,” Pinongan said.

In 2024, Negros Occidental had 6,799 dengue cases which were 354.48 percent more than in 2023.

There were also 22 deaths due to dengue in 2024.

Pinongan said government and private hospitals and rural health units were full last year because of the rise in dengue patients.

Additional beds and wards also had to be set up.

The DOH has reminded the public to intensify dengue control measures, emphasizing the need to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging in hotspot areas.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by the dengue virus, primarily transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes.

Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and a skin rash.

In severe cases, the disease can progress to life-threatening conditions marked by severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding, blood in bodily excretions, and breathing difficulties.

Early diagnosis and treatment could prevent severe complications and fatalities, health officials said.