By JEN BAYLON

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported a 313.16 percent increase in the number of dengue cases in the province this year.

Based on PHO’s Morbidity Week No. 43 Report, as of October 26, the province recorded 5,338 dengue cases with 15 deaths.

This is higher than the 1,292 cases in the same period last year, data said.

Bago City has the highest number of dengue cases, with 601.

It is followed by San Carlos City (415 cases), Hinoba-an town (405), Sagay City (333), Talisay City (332), Kabankalan City (327), Silay City (324), Cauayan town (318), Cadiz City (292), and Sipalay City (276).

In Bacolod City, the City Health Office (CHO) recorded 2,077 dengue cases with three deaths.

The highest number of cases was recorded in Barangay Taculing, with 243.

Barangay Bata is next on the list with 168 cases, followed by Mansilingan (165), Estefania (160), Villamonte (134), Mandalagan (109), Tangub (106), Alijis (100), Singcang (85), Cabug (82), Banago (81), and Granada (76).

The CHO continues to promote the 4S campaign against dengue, which includes finding and destroying breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Health officials also recommend immediate consultation if a suspected dengue patient experiences fever, vomiting, rashes, and bleeding.

Typhoid fever, influenza

The PHO is also monitoring the surge in the number of typhoid fever cases, where there are 1,137 reported cases with 10 deaths.

The increase in cases has raised health concerns across the province, with all 31 local government units (LGUs) reporting at least one suspected case.

PHO data showed San Carlos City has the highest number of cases with 380 and three deaths, while Sipalay City has 259 cases and one death.

Other LGUs with notable case counts include Hinoba-an town (83 cases), Cauayan town (61), and Kabankalan City (56 cases and one death).

Typhoid cases are also recorded in the cities of Sagay, Bago, Victorias, and Silay, as well as Calatrava town.

Health officials are advising residents to ensure access to safe drinking water, maintain good hygiene practices, and seek medical attention if they exhibit symptoms of typhoid fever, which include high fever, fatigue, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.

Meanwhile, the PHO recorded 1,014 cases of influenza-like illnesses in the province, with Isabela town having the highest number of cases with 375, followed by Pontevedra town with 205 cases, and San Carlos with 195 cases.

One death was reported due to influenza-like illnesses./JB, WDJ