- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The City Health Office said June 17 that dengue cases in the highly-urbanized Bacolod decreased by 19.1 percent, or 165 cases from Jan. 1 to June 8 this year, compared to the 204 infections with two deaths recorded in the same period in 2023.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environment Sanitation Division, said that barangays with highest number of dengue cases include Taculing with 30, Mansilingan, 12; Banago, 11; nine cases each in Estefania, Tangub, and Cabug; and seven infections each in Alijis, Vista Alegre, and Mandalagan.
A 20-year-old male resident of Iloilo Province, meanwhile, was the latest dengue fatality in Western Visayas, as of the latest Department of Health monitoring.
The province now has four dengue-related deaths, three in Negros Occidental, and one each in Aklan and Capiz, the DOH6 said.
Data released by the DOH Regional Vector-borne Diseases Program showed that there were 199 newly-reported dengue cases in Western Visayas, as of the June 2-8 monitoring, bringing the total to 3,482, which was 22 percent higher compared to the 2,855 cases in the same period last year.
Iloilo Province logged the highest number of newly-reported dengue cases at 79, for a total of 1,128 infections since the start of this year.
Negros Occidental followed with 42 new cases (519 total), and Aklan with 35 new cases (553 total).
“There is an increased attack rate in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras, the DOH said, adding that 29 barangays in the region have clustering of dengue cases.
The DOH also cautioned the public against Facebook posts claiming that birds eye chili or siling labuyo can cure dengue.
“Currently, there is no specific treatment for dengue. The best way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites,” it stressed in an advisory.
The DOH also urged the wearing of long sleeves and pants to cover the skin, and using mosquito repellant lotions and sprays.
“The public is encouraged to seek early medical consultation if experiencing symptoms like fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, or rashes,” it said and stressed the importance of eliminating mosquito-breeding sites and supporting fogging activities in areas with clustering or outbreak of cases./CGC
