World · Philippines Bureau
Dengue fatalities climb to 17 in Negros Occidental, Bacolod City
Health authorities in the Philippines are grappling with a rising death toll from dengue fever across Negros Occidental and Bacolod City. The combined fatality count has reached at least 17 cases this year as the mosquito-borne illness continues to spread.
LSN Philippines ·
At least 17 people have died from dengue-related complications across Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in 2024, according to latest reports from provincial health authorities. The Provincial Health Office documented 11 fatalities in Negros Occidental proper, while Bacolod City recorded five deaths attributed to the viral disease.
The death toll appears poised to rise further, as the most recent provincial health office report released Thursday did not yet account for the death of an 11-year-old boy who succumbed to dengue fever. His case is expected to be added to the official count in subsequent reports.
Dengue transmission in the region has historically peaked during the warmer months when mosquito populations surge. Health officials typically urge residents to eliminate standing water around homes and communities to reduce breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vector for dengue transmission.
The disease, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, can cause severe complications including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Early symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash, though severe cases can prove fatal without prompt medical intervention.