Dengue cases in Negros Occidental alarming

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The sudden surge of dengue cases in Negros Occidental this January is very alarming, Provincial Board Member Melvin Ibañez said yesterday.

Ibañez, chairman of the PB committee on health, said there has been an influx of dengue patients early this month, although he did not cite the actual number of cases yet, pending a report from the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

In 2012, Negros Occidental dengue cases were 1,179 cases with five deaths, or a 7-percent increase in fatality rate of 14 deaths and 1,104 cases in 2011, Ibañez said, citing PHO records.

Ibañez blamed the continuous rains in the increase of dengue cases. He said his committee is now proposing a P500,000 budget for the Capitol’s dengue control program this year.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has called on Negrenses to observe cleanliness and take necessary precautions to prevent the further rise of dengue cases here. (FREEMAN)