By JEN BAYLON
Negros Occidental has recorded seven dengue-related deaths, as the number of infections continues to rise, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said yesterday.
The most recent dengue fatality was a 49-year-old woman from Bago City, data showed.
The PHO earlier recorded six deaths due to dengue, which included individuals aged nine to 22 years old from the cities of San Carlos and Silay, as well as the towns of Isabela, Murcia, Ilog, and Manapla.
A total of 1,603 dengue cases were recorded in Negros Occidental as of April 5 this year.
This figure marks a staggering 381.38 percent increase compared to the 333 cases recorded during the same period in 2024.
Bago City leads with 320 dengue cases, data showed.
It is followed by La Carlota City (142), Kabankalan City (129), San Carlos City (94), Silay City (87), Cauayan town (71), Pulupandan town (69), Talisay City (57), as well as Hinigaran and Valladolid towns (with 50 each).
This alarming increase highlights the intensifying dengue crisis in the province, which has also recorded a significant surge in cases.
Health officials attribute this spike to cyclical dengue trends observed every three years.
PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan emphasized that immediate medical consultation is critical for individuals experiencing fever and other dengue symptoms such as rashes.
With dengue cases expected to rise further this year, health authorities are calling for collective action to curb the spread of the disease.
Public cooperation in maintaining clean environments and adhering to health advisories will be crucial in preventing more fatalities.
Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged residents to remain vigilant and take proactive measures against the mosquito-borne disease.
The provincial government has intensified its campaign for proper sanitation and cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
In capital Bacolod City, a 42-year-old woman from Barangay Mansilingan was the second fatality due to dengue in the locality, the City Health Office (CHO) reported.
She passed away on March 24 after she was diagnosed with severe dengue hemorrhagic fever, CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division head Grace Tan said.
The patient was suffering from fever with abdominal and epigastric pain for one week.
The first dengue fatality was a 64-year-old man from Barangay Alijis in February of this year.
Bacolod also reported a surge in dengue cases, with 301 recorded from March 30 to April 5, the CHO said.
This is 155.1 percent higher than the 118 cases logged in the same period last year.
Barangay Mansilingan recorded the most number of cases with 26.
It is followed by Estefania and Tangub (24 each), Taculing (23), Alijis and Villamonte (21 each), Mandalagan (17), Handumanan (16), Singcang-Airport (15), and Vista Alegre (14).
Local health authorities are encouraged to follow the Department of Health’s 4S strategy against dengue, which includes searching and destroying mosquito breeding sites, protecting oneself through repellents and protective clothing, seeking early consultation for persistent fever, and supporting fogging in hotspot areas when necessary.
Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain, nausea, and skin rashes.
In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding or organ failure.
Symptoms start four to 10 days after exposure to a mosquito bite, with most cases getting better in one to two weeks.
Once the fever subsides after four or five days, warning signs will appear — bleeding gums, rashes and color changes in the stool./JB, WDJ