• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Dengue cases in Bacolod City increased by 161.8 percent in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office (CHO) Environmental Sanitation Division, said March 10 that they logged 199 dengue cases with one death, compared to 76 infections with zero fatality in the same period in 2024.
The first dengue death this year was a 64-year-old male from Barangay Alijis, who suffered from fever for four days, as well as cough, shortness of breath, and vomiting.
He was admitted Feb. 3 and died two days later, CHO data showed.
Alijis also topped the list of barangays with highest cases of dengue, together with Mansilingan and Estefania with 17 cases each, Villamonte with 15, Singcang, Tangub and Mandalagan with 14, and Taculing with 13 cases each.
The CHO has been reminding Bacolodnons to strictly observe the 4S in the fight against the spread of dengue.
These include searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites; practicing self-protection measures; seeking early consultation; and supporting fogging in outbreak situations.
The Department of Health also revived the 4 o’clock habit in encouraging communities to clean their surroundings in the campaign against dengue.
It rolled out the “Alas Kwatro, Kontra Mosquito!” nationwide campaign Feb. 24, in line with its intensified dengue prevention and control initiative. | CGC
