Dengue cases rise; 2 deaths reported

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – The Department of Health in Negros Oriental has confirmed an increase in the number of dengue cases in the province at the early onset of the rainy season.

As of latest official count on May 15, the total number of confirmed dengue cases in Negros Oriental has reached 235, said DOH provincial chief, Dr. Socrates Villamor, who added that the figures were based on admission cases at three hospitals in the city, Holy Child Hospital, Silliman University Medical Center and Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

Villamor said a 33 percent increase in dengue cases was noted this year over last year’s figures of 177 cases and no deaths for the same period covered.

Two deaths involving pre-school children were reported within the period from January 1 to May 15, this year, he said, and that the fatalities were both girls, a 5-year-old from Sibulan town who died last January, and a 3-year-old from Bacong who succumbed to the disease just last week.

Villamor however allayed fears of an epidemic outbreak of dengue cases in the province, saying the increase is expected because of the arrival of the rainy season, and further rise in number is being anticipated in the coming months.

Dumaguete City tops the list of highest number of dengue cases among 10 local government units in Negros Oriental. It has 109 cases, followed by Bayawan City with 23, Tanjay City (19), Bais City (10), Bacong town (nine), Sibulan (eight), Manjuyod and San Jose (seven each), and Dauin and Guihulngan City (six each).

The towns of Amlan, Vallehermoso, La Libertad and Jimalalud had no dengue cases reported for the same period, while the rest of the cities and municipalities had five cases and below.