Negros Occidental dengue cases seen to exceed 2007 record

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The number of dengue cases in Negros Occidental this year could surpass the 5,000 recorded in 2007 when the provincial government declared an outbreak, a provincial board member said.

Board member Melvin Ibañez, chairman of the Anti-Dengue Task Force, noted that the number of dengue cases this year had already reached 4,676 as of Aug. 28, and there are still four months to go until the year ends.

But Ibañez said there is no need to recommend the declaration of a dengue outbreak, as the overall situation is still manageable.

Dengue deaths in this province had reached 28 as of yesterday, according to media reports. In 2007, there were 50 deaths, Ibañez said.

In Bacolod City, dengue cases had reached a total of 2,099 as of Sept. 13, with five deaths, based on records of the city health office. Last year, there were 946 cases during the same period, with nine deaths, records show.

Bacolod barangays with the highest number of dengue cases are Taculing with 221; Bata, 217; Estefania, 176; Villamonte, 162; Tangub, 139; Singcang, 139; Mansilingan, 125; Alijis, 107; and Banago, 104, a report of the city health office said.