Western Visayas logs over 600 dengue cases just in a week

By John Noel Herrera

The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas recorded more than 600 dengue cases in just a span of one week.

Based on DOH-6 data, 674 individuals were infected by dengue from July 10-17, 2022.

Negros Occidental accounted for 230 cases, Iloilo province with 161, and Antique with 118.

Five more deaths were also recorded – two in Antique, and one each in Iloilo, Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

The latest fatalities raised the number of dengue-related deaths in Western Visayas to 37 and brought the total number of dengue cases in the region to 6,856 from January to July 16, 2022, which is higher compared to 1,199 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Of the 6,856 dengue cases in the region, Negros Occidental posted the highest number with 2,445, and followed by Antique with 1,731 cases.

Data also indicated that Iloilo province logged 1,228 cases; Capiz, 370; Aklan, 291, and Guimaras, 100.

Bacolod City and Iloilo City also recorded 398 and 293 dengue cases, respectively.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that he expects cases to increase further in August and September due to the rainy season.

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer of Negros Occidental said that despite the spike in cases in the province, none of the areas affected by dengue have reached the alert or epidemic status.

In Iloilo City, City Health Office (CHO) officer-in-charge Dr. Annabelle Tang expressed worry over cases of dengue as the numbers increased to 45 percent compared to the same period last year.

Tang also called on other organizations to do their part by observing the “4S” strategy and cleaning the surroundings.