By JEN BAYLON
The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) has reported a significant 147.2 percent increase in dengue cases this year, recording 356 infections and two fatalities, compared to 144 cases during the same period last year.
According to the CHO’s Environment Sanitation Division, dengue continues to affect residents across all age groups and genders, transmitted through bites from female mosquitoes infected with the dengue virus.
Barangay Mansilingan topped the list with 33 cases, followed by Estefania with 28 cases.
Taculing and Alijis each reported 23 cases, Villamonte had 22, Mandalagan and Singcang recorded 20 cases apiece, Handumanan had 17, and Cabug reported 15 cases.
Mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus breed in stagnant, clear water found in both large and small containers around homes and communities.
Patients infected with dengue are at risk of dehydration, which can lead to low blood pressure and potentially life-threatening shock if not treated promptly.
The CHO strongly reiterated the importance of adhering to the Department of Health’s 4S program to combat the spread of dengue.
The program emphasizes:
* Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites
* Self-protection by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and applying mosquito repellent daily
* Seek early consultation at health facilities when symptoms appear
* Support community fogging and spraying efforts.
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