DENGUE cases in Negros Occidental has been increasing with a total number of 7,298 cases.

Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the number of dengue cases in the province has increased by morbidity week 35, a weekly report documenting issues related to various diseases.

Based on records shown by Tumimbang, the number of dengue cases has now reached 7,208 compared to 4,327 recorded in the same period last year.

The number of fatalities has also increased with 57 recorded compared to 52 last year.

Tumimbang said the same cities and towns such as Kabankalan and Murcia had the highest number of cases. However, he pointed out new cases in Kabankalan City has dropped to only 36, while the number of new cases in Silay City has jumped to 62.

The provincial official said the drop in the number of cases in Kabankalan proves that their counter-measures in combatting dengue is working.

Tumimbang also said the number cases is still an overall downtrend, pointing out the province's dengue cases peaked on Weeks 31 to 32.

He further stated there is nothing to worry about, although he pointed out the need to sustain the campaign against dengue through cleaning, fogging, and information dissemination.

"We've already set the preventive measures and we need to continue it," he added.