BACOLOD City — Dengue-related deaths in Bacolod City have reached five this year, even as reported cases declined by 15.5 percent compared with the same period in 2025, according to the City Health Office (CHO).
CHO records showed 666 dengue cases with five deaths as of Morbidity Week 36, covering September 6 to 12, 2026, compared with 788 cases and five deaths during the corresponding period last year.
The latest fatalities were two boys from Barangays Mansilingan and 16 who died on September 2 and 8, respectively.
The nine-year-old boy from Mansilingan developed fever and vomiting on August 28 while at school. He was given paracetamol at home but did not initially seek medical attention.
He was admitted to a hospital on September 1 after his condition worsened and was diagnosed with severe dengue and hypovolemic shock. He later suffered dengue hemorrhagic shock and died.
The eight-year-old boy from Barangay 16 developed fever on September 1, accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. He was admitted to a hospital on September 7 and initially diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis before his condition was later identified as severe dengue. He died the following day.
The three earlier fatalities were a four-year-old girl from Barangay Mansilingan, a five-year-old girl from Barangay Granada, and an eight-year-old girl from Barangay Villamonte.
Mansilingan recorded the highest number of dengue cases in the city at 82, followed by Handumanan with 58 and Estefania with 53.
Singcang-Airport and Alijis each recorded 44 cases, while Villamonte had 40 and Granada had 39. Other barangays with relatively high case counts were Banago with 32, Taculing with 31, and Tangub with 30.
Despite the decline in cases, CHO Assistant Department Head Dr. Grace Tan urged residents to remain vigilant, stressing that dengue continues to pose a public health concern.
Tan encouraged residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and observe the “4Ts” of dengue prevention — Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, and Takip — while also participating in the city’s daily 4 o’clock cleanup habit.
She also reiterated the Department of Health’s 4S strategy, which calls for searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites, using self-protection measures such as long sleeves, long pants and mosquito repellent, seeking early consultation, and supporting fogging and spraying activities.
Residents experiencing fever or flu-like symptoms were advised to seek medical consultation early.
The CHO also urged the public to watch for warning signs of severe dengue, including persistent abdominal pain, unusual bleeding, vomiting of coffee-colored material, dark-colored stools and difficulty breathing.
Early consultation, close monitoring of symptoms and sustained community efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds remain essential in preventing further dengue infections and deaths./PN
