BACOLOD CITY — Dengue cases in Negros Occidental have reached 4,230 from January 1 to July 20 this year, 43 percent more than last year’s 2,948 during the same period, a Provincial Health Office (PHO) report released on Tuesday showed.
Also, 27 deaths have been reported, which is 10 percent lower than the 30 recorded in 2018, it added.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson reminded Negrenses anew to remain vigilant by doing the basics to prevent dengue such as cleaning of surroundings aimed to search and destroy possible mosquito-breeding places.
“That’s the strongest weapon to avoid dengue,” the governor said.
Based on the latest data, Kabankalan City has the highest cases with 596, but without death. The southern Negros city has recorded 78 cases from July 14 to 20 alone.
Others in the top 10 are Bago City, with 337, including one death; San Carlos City, 310, with two deaths; Cauayan, 247, with two deaths; Himamaylan City, 242, with two deaths; Cadiz City, 211, with four deaths; Sagay City, 183, one death; Silay City, 182; Talisay City, 173; and Murcia, 160, one death.
Escalante City and Candoni, with 143 and 140 cases, respectively, have two deaths each. In Candoni, cases increased by 1,456 percent, from only nine last year.
Also with one death each are Don Salvador Benedicto, Hinigaran, La Castellana, E.B. Magalona, Hinoba-an, Manapla, Victorias City, La Carlota City, Binalbagan, and Calatrava.
Earlier, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, recommended a dengue outbreak be declared in the cities of Kabankalan and Bago, and the towns of Cauayan, Murcia, and Candoni, in his report submitted to the governor.
Still, Lacson said the provincial government leaves it to the concerned local government units (LGUs) to decide.
“They can agree with it, or maybe they feel it is not yet time,” he added.
In the latest PHO report, Tumimbang said they conduct weekly surveillance of cases in all hospitals and LGUs, and send prompt feedback to the concerned towns and cities, and provide recommendations to declare outbreaks in LGUs that have reached the criteria for an epidemic. (Nanette Guadalquiver via NDB)