The number of dengue cases in Negros Oriental from Jan. 1 to May 31 this year dropped 25 percent compared to the same period last year, a health official said Wednesday.
Noel Ferrero, the Provincial Health Office’s focal person for its dengue program, said during a “Kapihan sa PIA” forum that there was a total of 910 cases and one death during the five-month period from 1,208 cases and four deaths last year.
However, he said the downtrend may not be for long with the onset of the rainy season, and 2025 being an “epidemic” year based on the three-year outbreak cycle for dengue.
“With the increasing trend (of dengue cases in the Philippines), for sure, we are expecting a possible increase in the number of cases because dengue cases usually start in May or June and peak in August and September,” Ferrero said.
He said that in anticipation of an influx of dengue cases, the PHO, in coordination with the Department of Health, started last year an algorithm for referral of patients.
This means that certain conditions will determine whether a suspected dengue patient will be recommended for home management or by barangay health stations, rural health units, before proceeding to the next higher level of care, such as hospital admission.
They have also started prepositioning logistics, which the DOH-Negros Island Region has earlier distributed, Ferrero said.
Further, NS1 antigen testing kits for dengue are also available for free.
Records at the PHO showed that as of May 31 this year, the top 10 areas with the highest number of dengue cases are Siaton (112); Tanjay City (95); Dumaguete City (86); Mabinay (75); Bayawan City and Guihulngan City (63 each); Bais City (56); Sibulan (44); Canlaon City (28); and Zamboanguita (26).
The age group of 1-10 years old is the most affected at 39 percent, while the majority of the cases were male (50 percent).
The lone death due to dengue septic shock this year was an 18-year-old female from Tanjay City who died last March 31.
Ferrero and city health officials reiterated the call for the public to undertake preventive measures to stem the spread of dengue.
These include eliminating mosquito breeding places, seeking early consultation with medical practitioners, and self-protection through the use of insect repellent lotion, and supervised chemical misting when an outbreak is imminent.
Health authorities are also distributing impregnated mosquito nets and curtains in schools and in places that are prone to mosquito breeding. (Judy F. Partlow)
