• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) has stepped up efforts to combat dengue cases in Negros Occidental, which increased by 17.7 percent in the first seven months of 2024.
Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, expressed alarm on the clustering of dengue cases in some barangays of far south local government units.
She noted that during inspections, it has been observed that wastes clogged up canals, which serve as breeding grounds for mosquitos.
Pinongan said that PHO personnel have been dispatched to dengue-affected barangays and are coordinating with concerned LGUs in the fight against dengue.
As of July 13, the PHO has logged 874 dengue cases, marking an increase of 17.7 percent compared to 742 cases documented during the same period in 2023.
Pinongan said that three children died due to dengue.
Dengue fast lanes have already been deactivated in government hospitals.
Pinongan said that mostly children have been admitted in hospitals although some of them were advised to go home.
On the other hand, dengue dropped by 17.3 percent in highly-urbanized Bacolod City, data of the City Health Office (CHO) showed.
From January to July 6, the CHO recorded only 206 dengue cases, including two deaths, compared to 249 in the same period last year.
Also, the CHO reported an 85.4 percent reduction in cases of leptospirosis in Bacolod City, from 48 cases and five deaths in 2023, to seven cases with two deaths this year. | GB
