• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Dengue deaths in Negros Occidental, excluding the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, have risen to 10, with cases increasing by 244.76 percent, according to a report of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) on Thursday (Sept. 19).
Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said that the fatalities are mostly minors and school- aged children.
Pinongan added that the fatalities were late in consulting with physicians.
From Jan. to Sept. 14 this year, the PHO recorded 3,851 dengue cases, from only 1,117 cases during the same period in 2023.
Bago City has the most number of dengue cases with 369, followed by Hinoba-an, 325; San Carlos City, 262; Sipalay City and Talisay City, 249 each; Kabankalan City, 250; Sagay City, 248; Cadiz City, 218; Silay City, 210; and Cauayan, 201.
The Department of Health is prioritizing dengue prevention through the use of anti-mosquito and anti-larva equipment, including spraying tools, which local government units can request from their respective regional offices.
The health agency also advised the public to wear long sleeves and apply insect repellent as protection against Aedes mosquitoes, which primarily bite during the day and are responsible for spreading dengue. | GB
