By JEN BAYLON
Six deaths due to dengue have been recorded in Negros Occidental amid the sharp rise in cases, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed yesterday.
A total of 849 dengue cases were recorded as of February 15, a staggering 387.93 percent increase, higher than 174 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Bago City has the highest number of cases with 186, followed by Kabankalan City with 66.
San Carlos City logged 61 cases, with one dengue-related death.
La Carlota City also recorded 56 dengue cases, while Silay City had 44, with one fatality.
Talisay City and Cauayan town had 36 cases each, while the municipalities of Pulupandan and Hinigaran logged 35 and 28 cases, respectively.
Isabela town recorded 27 cases, with one fatality.
Individuals aged 11 to 20 years old accounted for the highest number of infections, data showed.
Health officials urge residents to take immediate preventive measures against dengue by eliminating mosquito breeding sites and seeking early medical attention for symptoms, such as fever, rashes and body pain.
124 dengue cases
In capital Bacolod, the City Health Office (CHO) recorded a total of 124 dengue cases as of February 8.
This is 96.8 percent higher than the 63 cases recorded in the same period last year, data revealed.
The CHO recorded no fatalities due to dengue within the period.
Barangay Mansilingan logged the highest number of dengue cases with 12.
It is followed by Barangay Tangub with 11, while Barangays Alijis, Singcang and Villamonte recorded 10 cases each.
Meanwhile, residents in Mansilingan have started placing mosquito larvicide granules in canals and drainage ways where wrigglers (young mosquitoes) breed.
Larvicide treatment helps reduce the adult mosquito population in nearby areas.
Local health officials continue to remind the residents 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 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.
One of the most common symptoms of dengue is a sudden high-grade fever that may reach approximately 40 degrees Celsius, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
Symptoms start four to 10 days after exposure to a mosquito bite, with most cases getting better in one to two weeks.
The DOH said that once the fever subsides after four or five days, warning signs will appear — bleeding gums, rashes and color changes in the stool.
This is already considered an advanced stage because there is already bleeding inside the body, the DOH said./JB, WDJ