BACOLOD City – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental urgently called for heightened vigilance and comprehensive preventative measures as dengue cases in the province surged by 421.65 percent.
Data from the PHO showed that from January 1 to February 22, the province recorded a total of 1,012 dengue cases, a dramatic leap from the 194 cases reported during the same period last year.
The PHO also listed six fatalities, underscoring the severity of the cases.
Bago City reported the highest number of cases at 209, followed by La Carlota City with 74 cases and Kabankalan City with 70 cases.
Other localities with high cases include San Carlos City (67), Silay City (58), Cauayan (46), Pulupandan (45), Talisay City (42), Hinigaran (36), and Isabela (33).
Meanwhile, dengue cases in Bacolod City are also increasing.
The province’s capital logged 156 cases from January 1 to February 15 – 147.6 percent higher than the 63 cases reported in the same period last year.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted to humans by infected Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headache, eye pain, joint and muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding.
Severe cases can develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which may result in bleeding, organ impairment, or death. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN