By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) claimed 2017 saw a significant drop in dengue cases from 2016, noting the province reported 4,284 cases in 2017, compared to 6,295 in 2016.
The PHO-Negros Occidental Health Surveillance Office, however, noted there were 41 dengue-related deaths throughout the province, exclusive of Bacolod City.
Sagay City recorded the highest number of fatalities with eight, followed by four each in Hinigaran, San Carlos City, and Bago City.
PHO said 41 deaths places the province under an “alert threshold,” clarifying an epidemic would have been declared once the number of fatalities reached 48./DGB, WDJ