By JEN BAYLON
Negros Occidental is seeing a welcome decline in dengue cases, but health authorities are urging residents not to be complacent as the onset of the rainy season raises the risk of another surge.
“With the rains starting, we must remain vigilant. Do not be complacent just because cases are dropping,” Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said.
“The rains can bring a new wave of dengue,” she added.
Pinongan confirmed that dengue cases in Negros Occidental have started to drop in recent weeks, following a spike earlier this year that saw 1,897 reported cases and seven deaths as of May 10.
Bago City logged the highest number of cases with 383 cases and one death.
It is followed by the cities of Kabankalan and La Carlota with 175 and 158 cases, respectively.
The cities of San Carlos and Silay recorded 109 and 101 cases, respectively, with one fatality each.
The PHO echoed the Department of Health’s call for continued cleanup drives to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
The “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign, which encourages residents to clean their surroundings daily at 4:00 p.m., remains in effect across all barangays.
Pinongan also reiterated the importance of early medical consultation for anyone experiencing fever or other dengue symptoms.
She said those experiencing fever should consider it dengue and have themselves checked just to confirm whether it’s dengue or not./JB, WDJ