The number of dengue cases in Negros Oriental continues to rise although no deaths have so far been reported.

Acting Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion said the latest morbidity report showed 161 cases from January 1 to February 11.

This is 96 percent higher compared to the same period last year when there were 82 cases and zero deaths, Estacion said.

“I am appealing to the public to not let their guard down even though we are now heading towards the summer months because erratic and unpredictable weather continues to bring rains, which contribute to providing breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito carriers,” she said.

“We still have to practice the protocols of cleaning our surroundings, and misting when necessary,” she added.

The top five areas with the highest number of dengue cases are La Libertad with 27, Bais City (25), Dumaguete City (25), Guihulngan City (15), and Sibulan (14).

Ayungon, Manjuyod, Tanjay City, Bayawan City, and Mabinay have less than 10 cases each.

Meanwhile, Estacion reported that the province logged 39 cases of typhoid fever with zero deaths.

This is 39 percent higher than in the same period last year with only 28 cases and no deaths.

The top 10 areas with the highest number of cases of typhoid fever are Dumaguete City and Guihulngan City with six each; Mabinay (five), Siaton and Tanjay City (three each), and Ayungon, Bais City, Bayawan City, Dauin, and Tayasan (two each).

Canlaon City, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Sibulan, Valencia, and Zamboanguita had one each, while the rest of the province had zero cases. (PNA)