DOCTOR Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer reminds the public to maintain cleanliness to avoid dengue.

Tumimbang made the reminder after he confirmed the increase of dengue cases in Negros Occidental by 73 percent.

“We should destroy possible breeding places of mosquitoes that carry the deadly dengue virus,” he said.

Tumimbang said from January to June of this year, they have recorded a total of 2,800 dengue cases compared to 1,600 recorded in the same period last year.

Records provided by Tumimbang also showed that the cities of Kabankalan, San Carlos, Bago, Cadiz, and the town Cauayan had the highest number of cases.

The PHO head also said there were 20 fatalities due to the mosquito-borne disease. Cadiz City had the highest number of fatalities followed by the cities of Escalante, San Carlos and the town of Candoni.

The high incidence of dengue usually occurs during rainy season from June to December.