There has been a 115 percent increase in dengue cases in Negros Occidental in January and February this year compared to the same period last year, Dr. Luisa Efren, provincial health officer, said yesterday.

This year 174 patients were admitted in hospitals compared to 81 last year, she said.

Efren attributed this to parents’ increased awareness of the need to bring their children to hospitals for treatment.

No deaths have been reported this year, unlike in January and February last year where one death was reported in Bago City and another in Calatrava, she said.

“We are happy that our information drives have increased awareness of the need for early dengue treatment to prevent deaths,” she added.

Of the 174 dengue cases from January to February this year,

• Cadiz City had 34,
• Silay City – 27,
• Sagay City – 23,
• EB Magalona – 12,
• Escalante City – 12,
• Talisay City – 10,
• Bago City – 9,
• La Carlota City – 8,
• Manapla – 7,
• Victorias City – 6,
• San Carlos City – 5,
• Toboso – 4,
• Calatrava – 3,
• Hinigaran – 3,
• Himamaylan City – 2,
• Isabela – 2,
• Murcia – 2,
• Cauayan – 1,
• Kabankalan City – 1,
• La Castellana – 1,
• San Enrique – 1,
• and Valladolid – 1.

Efren also stressed the need to follow the four Ss, which are seek and destroy breeding sites, practice self protection, seek early consultation and treatment, and, say no to indiscriminate fogging.

*CPG