MITCH M. LIPA
The Bacolod City Health Office logged 159 cases of dengue from January to first week of August this year. Two of the victims have died.
Dr. Grace Tan of the Environment and Sanitation Division of the CHO, said the figure is lower compared to the 250 cases reported last year for the same period.
Barangay Estefania has the highest number of cases with 23; followed by Tangub with 16; Singcang-Airport and Villamonte, 14 each; Taculing and Mansilingan, 10 each; Barangay 35 and Pahanocoy, 8 each; Alijis, 5; and Bata, 4.
But CHO noted a clustering of cases in the first and second week of this month in barangays Pahanocoy, Villamonte, Bata, Estefania, Tangub, Mansilingan, and Vista Alegre.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by high fever accompanied by severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands and rashes.
The CHO has already initiated recoridas, fogging or spraying operations in areas with reported dengue cases. Larvicides were also distributed to affected communities.
The CHO also urged the public to observe the city’s program of “Search and destroy”, “use of Self-protective measures,” “Seek early treatment,” and “Say yes to fogging/spraying”, to prevent dengue.
It also advised the public to take plenty of fluids and remain vigilant in cleaning up areas that are possible breeding ground of the viral mosquito. – MML
