Negros Occidental eyes state of calamity due to dengue

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The provincial government of Negros Occidental is considering placing the province under a state of calamity due to rising cases of the mosquito-borne disease dengue.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said data from the Department of Health-Western Visayas showed that Negros Occidental recorded 1,869 dengue cases including 10 deaths in the first half of the year.

The figure showed an increase of 777 percent in the past six months compared to 233 infections recorded in the same period last year.

Lacson said he would consult with provincial health officer Ernell Tumimbang to determine if the number of dengue cases is still manageable.

He said he personally feels that the number of cases in his province has reached an alarming level and requires a declaration of a state of calamity.

Negros Occidental has ranked first among provinces and highly urbanized cities in Western Visayas with a high number of dengue cases.

The regional health office will send a team to Negros Occidental to help the provincial government deal with the surging cases, Lacson said.

Dengue cases in the province’s capital of Bacolod have also increased by 159 percent in the same period, the Department of Health said.

As this developed, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique recently placed the province under a state of calamity due to the number of dengue cases recorded in all its 18 municipalities.

Antique logged 1,409 cases with four deaths from January to July 2 this year, or 674 percent higher than the figure recorded in the same period last year.

It follows Negros Occidental among provinces with the most number of dengue cases.