BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The 389 dengue cases in Negros Occidental recorded between January and May of this year were more than double the cases recorded in the same period last year.
According to Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief, 172 dengue cases were recorded between January and May in 2021.
Also, four persons have so far died of dengue this year, PHO data showed.
San Carlos City has the highest number of dengue cases with 36 followed by Hinigaran with 34, La Carlota with 32, and Himamaylan City with 30.
The PHO head also confirmed that several personnel of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City have fallen ill with dengue, and Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz already ordered an investigation.
The TLJPH management was advised to remove all stagnant water in the hospital’s premises and installation anti-mosquito screens.
Dengue is caused the day-biting Aedes albopictus and Aides aegypti mosquitoes that breed in clear, stagnant water.
Tumimbang said they are taking the necessary preventive measures to prevent dengue cases from increasing any further.
Dengue cases rise every three years and 2022 is the projected year of yet another increase in this three-year surge cycle.
Tumimbang previously said dengue cases were increasing but this had not yet reached alarming levels.
The situation is considered alarming already if cases have breached the 500 mark, he explained.
Dengue 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: 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 Department of Health has renewed its call for the public to observe the enhanced 4-S strategy against dengue. These are:
* 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