About 280 dengue cases were recorded in Bacolod City as of March 22 this year, marking a significant increase by 177.2 percent, data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed.

This was higher than the 101 cases reported during the same period last year.

One probable death has also been noted, CHO data revealed.

Barangay Estefania registered the highest number of cases at 24.

It is followed by Barangay Mansilingan with 23, Taculing and Tangub (21 each), and Alijis (20), Villamonte (18), Mandalagan (17), Handumanan (15), Singcang (14), and Vista Alegre (14).

Due to the continuous rise in dengue cases, the CHO reiterated the importance of eliminating mosquito breeding sites both inside and outside households.

Residents are urged to practice the 4S strategy against dengue, which includes searching and destroying potential mosquito breeding sites, seeking early consultation for any symptoms, practicing self-protection measures to prevent mosquito bites, and supporting fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.

The local health office continues to emphasize community involvement in keeping their surroundings clean and safe from dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

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./WDJ