BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The province of Negros Occidental so far logged 148 dengue cases since the start of the year, data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
As of Feb. 4 (Morbidity Week No. 5), there was an increase of 142.62 percent, or 87 cases more compared to the same period last year.
San Carlos City currently has the highest number of cases (20), while Bago City has the highest total increase in percentage (366.67 percent).
Most of the dengue patients were children aged one to 10 years old.
According to the PHO, the fatality remains at one – a resident of Himamaylan City.
The PHO also noted clustering of cases in two villages in Silay City, and one village each from the cities of Bago and Cadiz, and the town of Pulupandan.
Dengue is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. It causes a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal.
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: a 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./PN
