Hospitals in Negros Occ. ordered to activate dengue fast lanes activate dengue fast lanes

The Negros Occidental Provincial Health Office (PHO) has ordered all hospitals in the province to activate their dengue fast lanes, as cases of mosquito-borne disease keep increasing.

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, PHO head, said all patients who show symptoms or were already diagnosed with dengue should be given priority.

Based on PHO’s monitoring from January 1 to May 21 of this year, dengue cases in Negros Occidental has already reached 670, a 278.83 percent increase compared to last year’s 177 cases.

The PHO had already raised the alarm after cases breached the 500 mark earlier this month, although Tumimbang said at present it is currently not yet necessary to declare a dengue outbreak in the province.

The PHO has also activated its anti-dengue task force to deal with the rising cases.

Dengue causes a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes.

According to the World Health Organization, individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.

For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.* (DGB)