36.4 percent drop in dengue cases

BACOLOD City – The number of dengue cases here decreased by 36.4 percent, latest report from the City Health Office (CHO) indicated.

From January 1 to August 7, 2021, Bacolod logged 159 dengue cases, including two deaths, according to Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO Environmental Sanitation Division, said.

This number is lower compared to 250 cases recorded during the same months last year.

Estefania reported the highest number of cases with 23, followed by Tangub (16), Singcang-Airport and Villamonte (14 each), Taculing and Mansilingan (10 each), Barangay 35 and Pahanocoy (8 each), Alijis (5), and Bata (4).

Meanwhile, six barangays were observed to have clustering of dengue cases in four weeks prior to August 7, the CHO report noted.

These barangays are Pahanocoy, Villamonte, Bata, Estefania, Tangub, Mansilingan, and Vista Alegre.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by high fever accompanied by severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rashes.

Despite the decline in the number of dengue cases, the CHO continues to take action to curb the mosquito-borne viral infection.

The CHO initiated recoridas (public announcements) and fogging or spraying in areas with recorded dengue cases. Larvicides were also distributed to affected communities.

Tan urged the public to observe the “4S” in the fight against dengue.

“4S” stands for:

1. Search and destroy – all probable breeding places of mosquitoes, like containers with stagnant water, must be searched and destroyed.
2. Self-protective measures – individuals are urged to wear long sleeves and long pants, apply mosquito repellants, and use mosquito nets or screens as self-protective measures.
3. Seek early treatment encourages the public to seek early treatment by going to the nearest health facility when dengue symptoms show. The public is also advised to take plenty of fluids.
4. Say yes to fogging/spraying urges the public to promote fogging and spraying in areas with clustering of dengue cases.