DENGUE cases in Negros Occidental dramatically increased with 15 deaths from January up to August 10 this year.
Most of the dengue victims were children with ages from three to ten years old.
For the month of August alone, two Negrenses died of dengue. They were identified as Alfredo Giganto, 30, of Hda. Kinalatan, Guimbalaon, Silay City, and Joemel Junco of Zone 8, Barangay 2, La Carlota City.
Based on the records of the Provincial Health Office, other local government units with recorded dengue fatalities are Murcia - one, Himamaylan City - five, Sipalay City - one, Cadiz City - one, Silay City - two, Kabankalan City - one, La Carlota City - one, Talisay City - one, San Carlos City – one, and Bago City - one.
The number of dengue cases significantly increased this year by 262 percent, compared to the same period last year. This year's figure was pegged at 2,196 cases while there were only 606 cases registered last year.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health officer-in-charge, said that they are continuously implementing pro-active measures such as the awareness campaign about maintaining cleanliness in the surroundings and the destruction of all mosquito breeding places, to combat further spread of dengue.(Teresa Ellera-Dulla)