CEBU CITY – More than 6,000 dengue cases have been recorded in the first five months of this year in Region 7 or Central Visayas, the Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7) reported.

The DOH-7 said that from January 1 to May 25 this year, 6,539 dengue cases with 16 fatalities were recorded in the region.
Dr. Ronald Jarvic Buscato, Medical Officer 4 of DOH-7, said the number of dengue cases for the first five months of this year are 95 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Bohol has the highest number of dengue cases with 2,434 and five deaths. Cebu province was second with 1,900 and five deaths. Negros Oriental was third with four deaths.
The youngest dengue patient was two-months-old while the oldest was 98.
The surge in dengue cases was attributed to climate change and the extreme heat that forced residents to store water in their households.
With the increasing number of dengue cases, the search and destroy activity for mosquito breeding sites will be intensified, the DOH said.
“Dengue-carrying mosquitoes are not like the common household mosquitoes. They don’t need large spaces to breed,” said Buscato.
Improper storing of water is the most common cases of dengue, said Buscato, adding that a cap of bottled water can hold up to five larvaes.
With the onset of rainy season, the DOH-7 is expecting dengue cases to further increase.
To avoid mortality, those who are experiencing fever for more than three days should immediately seek medical help, the agency said.
Buscato said the the DOH-7 will intensify its anti-dengue awareness campaign.
“The DOH has assigned June as a Dengue Awareness Month and every June 15, we commemorate the ASEAN Dengue Day to raise awareness and remind the residents that dengue is a threat and continues to be a threat in the region,” said Buscato.