BACOLOD City – The city of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental declared an outbreak due to the continue rise of dengue cases.
Provincial Health Office’s latest report revealed that Kabankalan has the highest cases of the mosquito-borne disease in the province.
From Jan. 1 to July 20, dengue cases in the city showed a 127-percent increase with 596 this year, higher compared to last year’s 262 in the same period.
Mayor Pedro Zayco on Friday issued a memorandum addressed to barangay officials on the declaration of a dengue outbreak.
He said the city is implementing an action plan starting Aug. 5, focusing on the “four o’ clock habit” to search and destroy possible mosquito-breeding places.
Zayco added they have started an emergency purchase of medical supplies worth around P4 million.
According to PHO, Kabankalan and Murcia are among the five local government units in Negros Occidental recommended for the declaration of dengue outbreak after reaching the epidemic level.
The three others are Bago City, and the towns of Cauayan and Candoni.
Bago City has the second highest cases, with 337, including one death. Others in the top 10 are 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.
In Negros Occidental, dengue cases have reached 4,230 with 27 deaths from Jan. 1 to July 20 this year, 43 percent higher than last year’s 2,948 in the same period. (With a report from PNA/PN)
