With dengue cases soaring by 421.6% this year, Negros Occidental has intensified its anti-dengue campaign, directing barangays to enforce stricter mosquito control measures.
Dr. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said on Friday, February 28, that barangays now implement the Department of Health’s (DOH) “Alas Kwatro Kontra Mosquito” campaign daily. Residents clean their surroundings at 4 pm, targeting mosquito breeding sites to curb the spread of dengue.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, which collects in bottles, pails, old tires, and canals, she said.
To combat this, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) distributed larvicides, which kill mosquito larvae and pupae before they develop into biting adults.
The PHO reported on Wednesday that Negros Occidental recorded 1,012 dengue cases and six deaths from January 1 to February 22, a sharp increase from 194 cases during the same period last year.
Pinongan urged government employees to help prevent dengue by keeping their workplaces free of mosquito breeding grounds.
Bago City leads with 209 cases, prompting local authorities to intensify their cleanup efforts.
Health officials continue to urge the public to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to stop the spread of dengue.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.