Bacolod logs three dengue deaths amid 448 cases

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The City Health Office has reported three dengue deaths and three leptospirosis fatalities as of Aug. 22.

Based on CHO records, the two most recent dengue fatalities were girls ages 4 and 5 from Barangays Granada and Mansilingan.

Both victims died while confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.

The older victim died Aug. 19 due to acute respiratory failure from severe dengue, while the younger victim died Aug. 21 due to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome from severe dengue.

The two fatalities were added to the city’s dengue death toll, which earlier included a victim from Barangay Villamonte.

A total of 448 dengue cases were recorded since January, with Barangay Mansilingan posting the highest number at 54.

It was followed by Barangay Handumanan with 45 cases, Estefania with 40, Singcang-Airport with 30, Banago with 29, Alijis with 28, Villamonte and Granada with 24 each, and Tangub with 22.

Despite the figures, the CHO noted a 40% decrease in dengue cases compared with 754 cases and five deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Eight cases involved infants younger than 1 year old, while 179 involved children ages 1 to 10 and 133 involved those ages 11 to 19, for a total of 320 cases among people younger than 20.

The CHO reminded residents to keep their surroundings clean and eliminate mosquito breeding sites, particularly during the rainy season.

The Department of Health has also urged the public to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites, use personal protection, seek early consultation for symptoms, and support fogging or spraying only in hotspot areas.