The Department of Health in Negros Oriental has confirmed that two pre-school children have died of dengue, as the number of cases increased with the early onset of the rainy season.

Dr. Socrates Villamor, provincial DOH chief, said that as of May 15, the total number of confirmed dengue cases had reached 235, based on admission reports at the Holy Child Hospital, Silliman University Medical Center, and the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

The fatalities, 5-year-old girl from Sibulan town, who died last January; and a 3-year-old from Bacong, succumbed to the disease last week, Villamor added.

He said a 33 percent increase was noted this year, compared to the 177 cases with no deaths in the same period last year.

Villamor, however, allayed fears of dengue epidemic outbreak in the province, saying the increase was expected because of the rainy season. Health officials are even anticipating a further rise in the number of cases in the coming months, he added.

Dumaguete City topped the list of local government units with the most number of dengue cases at 109; Bayawan City with 23; Tanjay, 19; Bais, 10; Bacong, nine; Sibulan, eight; Manjuyod and San Jose, seven cases each; and Dauin and Guihulngan, with six cases each.

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

He also appealed to the public to begin adopting the government’s 4S strategy in combating dengue, that stands for Search and Destroy breeding places of dengue mosquito vectors; Seek early consultation; adopt Self-Protection measures like the use of insect repellant lotion; and Say No to indiscriminate fogging.

Residents who manifest symptoms of high fever, rashes and nausea, among others, must consult a physician immediately, as those with the symptoms are  considered as suspect dengue cases, Villamor said.

Any suspect dengue case must be reported to the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the DOH for action, he added.*JFP

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