Dengue cases in Western Visayas have almost doubled, based on the latest data from the Department of Health (DOH-6).
The total number of dengue cases in the region for this year reached 15,688, a 199 percent increase, compared to 5,254 cases recorded in the same period last year.
A total of 3,490 new cases have been logged from August 11 to 17, DOH-6 data showed.
Thirty-one deaths due to dengue were recorded this year, higher than 24 fatalities logged in 2023, it added.
The highest number of dengue cases was recorded in Iloilo province with 6,069.
This was followed by Negros Occidental (2,418 cases), Aklan (1,766), Capiz (1,581), Guimaras (1,320), Iloilo City (945), Antique (943), and Bacolod City (647).
Dengue cases in Negros Occidental increased by 136 percent, compared to last year’s 396 cases, DOH-6 data showed.
The largest age group of dengue cases is 11 to 29 years old.
A clustering of dengue cases was also recorded in all cities in Negros Occidental, as well as in the towns of Cauayan, Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Calatrava, E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Valladolid.
In capital Bacolod City, dengue cases have also increased by 63 percent, compared to 396 cases in 2023.
Barangay Taculing has the highest number of cases with 88, followed by Barangay Bata (79), Villamonte (61), Estefania (48), Mansilingan (46), Granada (44), Sum-ag (40), Cabug (39), Mandalagan (38), Alijis (36), Tangub (33), Banago (29), and Singcang-Airport (28).
There is also a clustering of cases in Barangays 1, 2, 4, 17, 28, 35, Alijis, Banago, Bata, Estefania, Granada, Handumanan, Manjalan, Mansilingan, Pahanocoy, Punta Taytay, Singcang-Airport, Sum-ag, Taculing, Tangub, Villamonte, Vista Alegre, and Felisa.
DOH-6 continues to remind the public to implement the 4S strategy against dengue, which includes:
* Search and destroy mosquito-breeding grounds by eliminating stagnant water and containers
* Self-protection measures like applying insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants
* Seek early consultation with a doctor or health worker for any symptoms
* Support fogging or spraying in a local hotspot or outbreak areas where an increase in cases is registered
Dengue is spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and causes a severe flu-like illness that can sometimes be fatal.
According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees Celsius) 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./WDJ