By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The number of dengue cases in Negros Occidental is now at 1,161, based on data released by the Department of Health Western Visayas (DOH-6).

According to DOH-6, Negros Occidental recorded a total of 143 new dengue cases for morbidity week #23 or from June 5 to 11, with overall cases now at 521 percent higher compared to the same morbidity week last year.

Total dengue deaths in the province are now at six.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the province’s dengue cases have now become an immediate concern and they are trying to expedite their response in order to prevent the province’s dengue situation from further escalating.

Tumimbang said they are continuing their entomological surveillance in the province’s 31 towns and cities, particularly destroying places where dengue-carrying mosquitoes could breed.

The two mosquitoes known to spread dengue are the Aedes aegypti and the Aedes albopictus.

Dengue causes a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal.

According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.

For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness./DGB, WDJ