TWO more children in Bacolod City died of suspected dengue in July 2025, bringing the total number of deaths to four, said Dr. Grace Tan, City Health Office (CHO)-Environmental Sanitation Division head.
Tan said the fatalities were a six-year-old girl from Barangay Handumanan, who died on July 17, and a five-year-old boy from Barangay Vista Alegre, who died on July 27.
Tan said the six-year-old girl suffered on and off fever for five days. She began showing symptoms on July 9 and was admitted in a hospital on July 14, but she did not survive due to dengue shock syndrome.
The five-year-old boy, who was diagnosed with severe dengue, also did not survive.
Tan noted that dengue cases in Bacolod City have increased by 67.8 percent from January to July 26, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
Records from the City Health Office (CHO) revealed that the city had 631 dengue cases with four fatalities this year.
The first fatality was a 64-year-old man from Barangay Alijis, and the second fatality was a 42-year-old woman from Barangay Mansilingan.
During the same period in 2024, there were only 214 cases and no deaths.
Tan said of 61 barangays, Mansilingan led the list with 64 cases, followed by Barangay Taculing with 48 cases, Estefania and Tangub with 44 cases each, Alijis with 34, Vista Alegre with 33 cases, Villamonte with 32 cases, Mandalangan and 1 with 28 cases each, Handumanan and Sum-ag with 27 cases each.
She said dengue continues to affect people of all ages and gender through bites from female-infected mosquitoes.
For those exhibiting symptoms such as fever or flu-like symptoms, Tan advised seeking early treatment or consultation.
Tan also reiterated the importance of following the Department of Health’s 4S program, which includes searching for and destroying mosquito breeding sites, using self-protection measures like wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and applying mosquito repellent daily, seeking early consultation, and supporting fogging and spraying efforts. (MAP)