BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Dengue cases in Negros Occidental are rising haven’t reached alarming levels yet, according to Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Ernell Tumimbang.
The dengue situation may only be considered alarming if cases exceed 500, he stressed.
As of yesterday, dengue cases in Negros Occidental hovered around 200, said Tumimbang, not yet on the epidemic level.
The PHO is continually monitoring the situation. Dengue cases last year were relatively low, he said.
“Kun nubo ang imo [kaso], any increase will be doubled,” Tumimbang added.
Last month, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas reported that from Jan. 1 to April 16 of this year, Negros Occidental recorded a total of 238 dengue cases.
These were 56 percent more compared to the number of cases recorded in the same period last year and so far the biggest increase among the provinces in Western Visayas.
The province has also recorded two fatalities due to the mosquito-borne disease.
Dengue cases usually surge every three years, said Tumimbang.
Dengue causes a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes.
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.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.
The DOH renewed its call to the public to prevent dengue by implementing the enhanced 4-S strategy in their households:
* Search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites;
* Self-protection measures like wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent;
* Seek early consultation; and
* Support fogging/spraying only in hotspot areas where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak./PN
