DENGUE cases in Bacolod City have continued to increase.
As of March 4, the number of cases was 59.6 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Records from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that the city had a total of 83 dengue cases, with one fatality.
For the same period last year, only 52 cases and one death were reported.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the City Health Office’s Environment Sanitation Division, said that Barangay Mansilingan topped the list with seven dengue cases, followed by Barangays Estefania, Cabug and Granada with six cases each.
Also on the list were Barangays Vista Alegre, Mandalagan and Tangub, five cases each; Barangays Pahanocoy, Aljis and Taculing, four cases each; Barangays Villamote, Bata and Singcang-Airport, three cases each; Barangays 6, 27, 40, Banago and Sum-ag, two cases each.
Tan said they were conducting spraying and fogging in various barangays, including the schools, to prevent the increase of dengue infection.
She said dengue still affects people of different ages, and genders through the bite of female infected mosquitoes.
She added that mosquitoes carrying dengue virus breed in non-moving, clear water in big or small containers.
Tan urged the public to practice the 4S program of the Department of Health, which stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding places; use self-protection measures; seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days; and say no to indiscriminate fogging.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City also logged 20 cases of leptospirosis with two deaths from January to March 4.
CHO records showed the two fatalities were residents of Barangays Banago and Taculing.
Of the 20 cases, Barangay Estefania topped the list with four cases, followed by Barangays Bata and Banago with three cases each; Barangay Mansilingan, two cases; and Barangays 2, 3, Taculing, Alangilan, Pta. Taytay, Villamonte, Alijis, and Singcang-Airport with one case each.
To prevent leptospirosis, Tan urged the public to keep the environment clean and dispose of garbage properly to avoid rat infestation; use mouse traps or other pest control measures; avoid wading or swimming in flood water, especially during rains; and wear boots if there is a need to cross flooded areas and always wash feet after wading the flood.*