The Department of Health in Negros Oriental reported Monday an upsurge of 143 percent in the number of dengue cases in the Province as of July 16 this year, compared to the same period last year.
Records show that from January to July 16, dengue cases reported and recorded in the province totaled 1,229 , as opposed to only 505 cases for the same period last year, disclosed Dr. Socrates Villamor, OIC chief, Local Health Support Division of the DOH-Negros Island Region.
Six deaths were also reported in the Province for the same period, versus only five deaths in 2015, Dr. Villamor added.
The deaths were two cases in Bais City, and one in each of the cities of Dumaguete, Bayawan, Tanjay, and Guihulngan, the doctor said.
Bais City recorded the highest number of dengue cases this year with 153, said Villamor.
The other cities and municipalities in the top 10 list with highest dengue cases are Bayawan, 146; Dumaguete, 134; Siaton, 82; Guihulngan, 74; Mabinay, 70; Sibulan, 68; Sta. Catalina, 60; Tanjay, 59; and Manjuyod, 41, DOH records showed.
Dr. Villamor pointed out that the surge in dengue cases in Negros Oriental this year appears to be a result of the long dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.
According to him, the lack of preventive measures during the dry months could have aggravated the breeding sites of the dengue-carrier mosquitoes.
The DOH official reiterated the need to intensify information drives for the public to cooperate in eliminating mosquito-breeding sites.
There is still a possibility the number of dengue cases in Negros Oriental would continue to rise in the coming months during the rainy season, Dr. Villamor warned.
He stressed the role of barangay officials, trained in previous years, to undertake massive information campaigns against the spread of dengue.
The public, meanwhile, is urged to cooperate by cleaning their homes and environments, emptying water receptacles, and employing personal protective measures such as wearing of appropriate clothing and the use of mosquito repellant lotion. (PNA)
