• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
At least 13 people have died, who were among the 4,400 who have been infected with the dengue virus in Negros Occidental over the last nine months, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
PHO records showed an increase of 3,219 dengue cases, or 272.5 percent, from Jan. 1 to Sept. 28 this year, compared to 1,811 cases for the same period in 2023.
Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said on Thursday (Oct. 3) that Bago City has the most number of dengue cases, among the 30 component cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, at 437.
Still, the age-group with the most number of cases are one to 10 years old.
Pinongan noted that dengue patients are usually brought to hospitals when the infection has already worsened.
While the number of dengue patients in hospitals is slowly declining, dengue fast lanes are still maintained in hospitals and even in rural health units.
In Bacolod, the City Health Office reported 1,448 dengue cases, including three fatalities, from Jan. 1 to Sept. 14.
The CHO report indicated an increase of dengue cases by 245.6 percent, compared to 419 cases, with three deaths, for the same period last year.
Pinongan said that they are campaigning for dengue awareness in schools, noting that some of those infected with dengue are students. | GB
