By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, confirmed Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas recently declared a dengue outbreak after the number of dengue-related cases in the town surpassed the epidemic threshold. According to the provincial officials, based on their records, there were 147 dengue cases reported in Murcia from January 1 to July 13 with one death; around 360 percent higher compared to the dengue cases recorded in the town last year.
Tumimbang also confirmed Murcia is the first locality in the province to declare a dengue outbreak.
PHO has since sent a monitoring team to assist the local municipal health office.
He also reminded the public to maintain cleanliness and destroy all possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which carry the dengue virus.
Earlier this week, PHO reported the number of dengue cases in the province has climbed to 4,230. While they also reported 27 dengue-related deaths, the fatality rate is still 10 percent lower compared to the 30 recorded last year./DGB, WDJ