By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The number of dengue cases in Negros Occidental this year dropped by 44.44 percent, the latest data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) revealed yesterday.

The PHO recorded 110 dengue cases as of February 10, lower than 198 cases logged during the same period last year.

La Carlota City has the highest number of cases with 10, followed by the cities of Sagay and Silay with nine cases each, and the cities of Cadiz and Victorias with eight cases each.

The majority of dengue cases were reported in children aged one to 10.

There have been no dengue fatalities recorded since January.

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.

Dengue is spread by the aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

Meanwhile, the cases of influenza-like illnesses in Negros Occidental are now at 418, the PHO said.

The latest data as of February 10, revealed that Isabela town has the highest number of cases with 296, followed by Pontevedra town with 74, and San Carlos City with 39.

There are no fatalities recorded, although the age group with the highest number of cases was noted to be between one and 10 years old.

Earlier, the PHO appealed to parents to immediately consult a physician if their children had flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, body aches, cough, and sore throat.

Pinongan said if symptoms are left untreated, it could develop into pneumonia.

They also advised residents to wear face masks, especially in enclosed spaces, and to immediately consult a doctor if afflicted with the symptoms./DGB, WDJ