By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Dengue has claimed seven lives, while the number of cases surged to 2,762 in the province of Capiz, according to the latest data from the Capiz Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The PHO reported that the most recent death brings the total to two fatalities in Roxas City, with two deaths in Pontevedra and one each in Dao, Dumarao, and Panitan.
The 2,762 dengue cases were recorded from January 1 to September 24, 2024.
New cases were reported in Roxas City (32), Maayon (16), Pontevedra (16), Dumarao (13), Dao (9), Cuartero (8), Dumalag (8), Tapaz (8), Jamindan (7), Mambusao (7), Pilar (7), Sigma (7), Panitan (6), President Roxas (6), Sapian (5), Panay (2), and Ivisan (1).
The provincial government has intensified its dengue prevention efforts following the sharp increase in cases compared to last year.
The rise prompted Gov. Fredenil Castro to declare a state of calamity in Capiz.
Gov. Castro also led a grand fumigation and launched the “Gugma Lamok Buster” initiative in the 1st District, which includes President Roxas, Pilar, Maayon, Pontevedra, and Panay.
According to Castro, fumigation helps eliminate mosquitoes and prevent further dengue cases.
As part of the Gugma Lamok Buster campaign, the PHO conducted advocacy programs to raise public awareness of dengue prevention.
Residents were urged to follow the 4S strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, take self-protection measures such as wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellent, seek early treatment, and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.
