BACOLOD City – The province of Negros Occidental has recorded 986 dengue cases so far this year – 76.93 percent lower than the 3,124 infections logged in the same period last year.
Six dengue deaths were recorded as of Sept. 2, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes a severe flu-like illness and can sometimes be fatal. Dengue carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breed in clean, stagnant water.
San Carlos City had the highest number of dengue cases at 123 with two fatalities.
Bago City came in second with 108 cases and one death, followed by Silay City with 82 cases and one fatality.
Other local government units with notable dengue cases were Talisay City and Isabela town, with 53 each; Hinigaran, 50; and Binalbagan, 48.
The most vulnerable age group for dengue is one to 11 years old, PHO data further showed.
The PHO has been reiterating to the public the importance of practicing the 4S strategy to prevent the spread of dengue: search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; take self-protection measures like wearing trousers and long-sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent; seek early treatment; and support fogging or spraying only in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak.
According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
The warning signs for severe dengue are severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in the vomit, fatigue, and restlessness. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN