Dengue Deaths Reach 17 in Negros Occidental, Bacolod

Seventeen people have died from dengue-related complications in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City this year, according to recent reports. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed 11 deaths within the province. In addition, Bacolod City reported five fatalities, bringing the total to 17. The PHO report, released on Thursday, did not yet include the death of an 11-year-old boy who succumbed to dengue. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and mild bleeding. In severe cases, it can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. The Philippines, being a tropical country, experiences dengue outbreaks annually, with cases often peaking during the rainy season when mosquito populations increase. The rise in fatalities underscores public health concerns in the affected regions. Health authorities are urging residents to take preventive measures, including eliminating mosquito breeding sites and protecting themselves from mosquito bites. The Department of Health consistently advocates for intensified mosquito control programs and community participation in combating the spread of the disease. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo