BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office has recorded 250 dengue cases with two deaths from Jan. 1 to 18, a 296.83 percent or 187 increase compared to 63 in the same period last year.
Bago City has the highest with 58, San Carlos City, 20; Kabankalan City, 19; Pulupandan, 15; Silay City, 13; Valladolid, 11; La Carlota City, 10; Cadiz City, nine; and Hinigaran and Escalante City, six.
The age group with the highest number of cases was from 11- to 20-years-old.
The PHO advised the public to be aware of the increasing cases of dengue.
Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are acute viral infections that affect infants, young children, and adults.
A bite of an Aedes Aegypti mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses is the cause of the disease.
The PHO encouraged the public to follow the 4S or Search and Destroy to combat dengue at homes or in other places – Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, Seek early consultation from health experts, Secure self-protection, and Support fogging/spraying.