By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

As the Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) continues to further strengthen its campaign against coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, they are also bracing for a possible spike in the number of dengue cases next year.

PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, said one of the indicators they are looking for a possible dengue cases spike is the number of patients who may need blood transfusions.

The PHO head said they are preparing for 2022, wherein they are forecasting an increase.

Tumimbang explained that dengue cases are expected to spike every three years.

The PHO also urged the Negrenses to practice the 4S Strategy in combating the mosquito-borne disease: search and destroy mosquitoes’ breeding places, self-protection measures, seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days, and say “no” to indiscriminate fogging.

Based on available data, the Department of Health saw 213,930 cases nationwide in 2015 and 220,518 cases in 2016. Total dengue cases dropped to 152,224 in 2017, which increased to 216,190 in 2018 and peaked at 430,282 in 2019./DGB, WDJ