DENGUE cases in Bacolod City have increased by 91.9 percent from January to February 18, compared to the same period in 2022.
Records from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that the city had a total of 71 dengue cases, with one death.
For the same period last year, there were only 37 cases and one death.
Of the 71 cases, Barangay Mansilingan topped the list with seven, followed by Barangay Estefania, six; Barangays Vista Alegre, Cabug, Granada, and Mandalagan with five cases each; Barangays Pahanocoy, Alijis and Tangub, four each; Barangays Villamonte and Taculing, three each; and Barangays 2, 40, Singcang-Airport, and Sum-ag, two each.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of City Health Office Environment Sanitation Division, said the barangays with clustering of dengue cases from January 28 to February 18 include Barangays Mansilingan, Cabug, Pahanocoy, and Estefania.
Tan said they were conducting spraying and fogging in various barangays, including the schools, to prevent the increase in dengue infection.
She said they were also conducting "recorida" in the barangays, and the sanitation inspectors were also deployed to assist the barangay in the implementation of their dengue action plan.
Tan noted that dengue still affects people of different ages, gender through the bite of female-infected mosquitoes.
She said mosquitoes carrying dengue virus breed in non-moving, clear water in big or small containers, adding that patients with dengue easily gets dehydrated, leading to low blood pressure and shock.
Tan also reiterated that the public should practice the 4S program of the Department of Health.
The 4S stands for "search and destroy" mosquito-breeding sites, practice "self-protection measures" such as wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent. "Seek early consultation" and "support fogging/spraying."*