Negros Occidental dengue cases up 521%  

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —  Dengue cases in Negros Occidental have increased by 521 percent since January, according to the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas office.

In a report released on Friday, the DOH regional office said 143 new dengue cases were reported from June 5 to 11, bringing the total to 1,161 since January.

The DOH-Western Visayas office said dengue cases in this city rose by 137 percent or a total of 206, with 10 new cases recorded from June 5 to 11.

Provincial health officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said fogging operations are not recommended against dengue-carrying mosquitoes as it would only kill adult mosquitoes, but not the larvae.

He said the provincial health office is using chemicals to destroy mosquito larvae in areas with stagnant water.

Dr. Grace Tan of the environmental and sanitation division of the city health office conducted dengue awareness campaign from June 15 to 24.

She said cleanup drives are ongoing in various barangays.

Himamaylan City and Hinigaran recorded the highest number of dengue cases in Negros Occidental.

The DOH said 10 of the country’s 17 regions, including Western Visayas, recorded an increase in dengue cases since April.

Based on a DOH-Western Visayas morbidity report from June 5 to 11, Antique logged the highest number of new cases at  149 followed by Negros Occidental with 143 and Iloilo with 78.

Across the region, 426 new cases were recorded during the same period, bringing the number of those who contracted dengue to 3,029.

The figures represent an increase of 241 percent compared to last year.

In August 2019, a national dengue epidemic was declared after the number of cases nationwide reached around 150,000 with 622 deaths from January to July.