• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Dengue cases in Western Visayas reached 3,283 in the first five months of this year, or 21 percent higher compared to the 2,716 infections logged in the same period in 2023, the Department of Health said June 10.
There were 91 newly-reported cases, as of the May 26 to June 1 monitoring, but total death count remains at eight, the DOH-CHD Regional Vector-borne Diseases Program added.
The province of Iloilo topped the list of local government units in the region with highest number of newly-reported dengue cases at 31, for a total of 1,049 infections.
Negros Occidental followed with 20 new cases (477 total), and Capiz with 11 (437 total).
The highly-urbanized Bacolod City logged 152 cases since the start of this year, with one infection reported in the 22nd week of 2024.
“There is an increased attack rate of dengue in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras,” the DOH6 said, adding that clustering of cases has also been noted in 23 barangays in the region.
June is Dengue Awareness Month, the DOH said, adding that dengue viruses are spread to people through mosquito bites, a person can be infected with dengue multiple times, and that each year, up to 400 million people are infected by the dengue virus.
To stop the spread of dengue, residents are urged to search and destroy mosquito-breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and to support fogging in areas with clustering of cases. | CGC
