NegOcc, Bacolod City dengue cases drop by 50%

By Easter Ann Doza

Sunday 17th of June 2012

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, June 17 (PIA6) - - The province of Negros Occidental and the City of Bacolod noted more than 50 percent drop in the number of dengue cases from January to June 2 this year compared to last year.

In 2011, Bacolod City recorded 190 cases of dengue with three deaths while for almost first half of 2012, only 84 cases had been recorded with only 1 death.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental with 499 cases and seven deaths last year has recorded from January to June 2, 2012, 215 cases and two deaths.

Dengue Regional Medical Coordinator of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Region 6 Dr. Joji Jimenez attributed the drop in cases and deaths in the province and in Bacolod City to the year round advocacy campaign of the local government units with their respective health offices.

Jimenez also warned of incidence of secondary vectors or dengue-carrying mosquitoes which bite at night.

“There are stages why dengue-carrying mosquitoes bite at night rather than during daytime, it maybe because of their need to suck blood so they can lay egg. But this is not prevalent yet, these are only instances,” Jimenez explained.

The Provincial Health Office is also involving school children in their campaign to fight dengue by teaching students to empty containers and vases even after school hours on their way home.*(JCM/EAD-PIA6 Negros Occidental)