By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Recent data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) reports dengue-related cases in the province has climbed. Based on the latest information from PHO, a total of 4,320 dengue-related cases were reported in the province between January 1 and July 20, a 43 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Kabankalan City recorded the most cases with 596, followed by Bago City with 337.
In addition, PHO also reported 27 dengue-related deaths; however, the fatality rate is 10 percent lower compared to the 30 recorded last year.
Earlier, PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, recommended declaring a dengue outbreak in Kabankalan City, Bago City, Cauayan, Murcia, and Candoni. The department also endorsed announcing a “state of calamity” due to the rising number of dengue-related cases.
In response, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province overall is still at an “alert” level and not an “epidemic,” and urged the public to continue cleaning their surroundings in order to control the spread of dengue fever./DGB, WDJ