Dengue cases keep rising in the province but not yet on epidemic level

Dengue cases are still increasing in Negros Occidental, but the province has not yet reached the epidemic threshold, except one town.

According to Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang on Friday, July 8, the province is still on the alert level threshold as far as dengue is concerned.

Tumimbang, however said that the town of Hinigaran already reached the epidemic threshold in previous weeks.

As of July 2, the Provincial Health Office reported that dengue cases in the province have reached 1,800 for the period from January 1 to July 2 this year, compared to 218 cases in the same period last year.

The data show that the increase is 725.69 percent, according to a Dengue Fever Surveillance Report of the Provincial Health Office.

The top 10 local government units of Negros Occidental, with highest recorded dengue cases, are Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, Hinigaran, San Carlos City, La Carlota City, Binalbagan, Bago City, Cadiz City, Pontevedra and Cauayan.

Tumimbang also noted an increase in admission of patients suffering from” mild” dengue cases in hospitals.

At the same time, the total attack rate for the province is 69.1 cases, per 100,000 of the total population, with La Carlota recorded the highest attack rate of 19.7 cases per 100,000 of the total population.

Pontevedra recorded highest increase in percentage of dengue cases, at 7,300 percent, while the highest reduction in cases was reported in Victorias, at 11.76 percent.

Deaths also increased from three last year, to 10 this year, Tumimbang said.

Tumimbang also attributed the decrease in dengue cases in Hinigaran to the simultaneous fogging and larvicidal operations, supported by the clean up drive every Friday of the week. He is, however, discouraging fogging operations in areas still on dengue alert level threshold.* (DGB)