ILOILO CITY – Nineteen people died from dengue in Region 6 (Western Visayas) from Jan. 1 to May 14, the Department of Health (DoH) said Monday, May 23.
Dr. Bea Camille Fillaro-Natalaray, chief of the DoH Region 6 Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Program, in an online press conference, said they recorded 1,355 dengue cases across the region from Jan. 1 to May 14, a 75 percent increase compared to the 775 dengue cases and eight deaths in the same period last year.
“There are also 19 who died from dengue,” said Natalaray.
Natalaray said Negros Occidental had the most number of dengue cases with 518 and five deaths. Antique is second with 316 dengue cases and two deaths.
Third was Iloilo with 222 dengue cases and six deaths. Bacolod City had 121 dengue cases and four deaths and
Capiz had 86 dengue cases and no deaths.
Aklan and Iloilo City each recorded 39 dengue cases and one death. Guimaras had 14 dengue cases and no deaths.
With the significant surge in dengue cases, the DoH has urged local government units (LGUs) in the six provinces and two highly urbanized cities in the region to step up their anti-dengue campaign.
The DoH said LGUs should push the 4S strategy – search and destroy; self-protection measures; seek early consultation, and support fogging or spraying.