At least 16 individuals died due to complications of dengue in Bohol in just 14 days from October 20 to November 3, according to a data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

The number of dengue deaths in the province for 2018 rose to 26 as of November 3, up by almost threefold from the 10 dengue deaths recorded as of October 20.

The PHO expressed alarm over the number of deaths caused by the disease during the short period.

According to PHO’s Provincial Dengue Program coordinator Leonidas Saniel, late diagnosis and late receipt of medical care are the most common causes of fatal dengue cases.

“So far sa among pagsuroy-suroy, among nakita na delayed ang ilang pagpa-konsulta, after three days na. Ang angay g’yud unta, kanang probable dengue—two days ang hilanat plus naay ubang simtuma na gasuka, kalibanga, ipa-da dayon sa [hospital],” said Saniel.

The PHO has deployed four task force teams to the province’s various localities, particularly in the 12 municipalities with the most number of dengue cases, to conduct an information campaign, said PHO officer Dr. Yul Lopez.

“This week, gapadayon ang personal na pag-ambit na manglimpyo, unya sa two municpalities, Dauis and Loon, nag-himo na og misting oeprations. Mao ni ang pamaagi sa pagpatay sa adult mosquitoes,” he added.

Based on the PESU data, the highest number of dengue deaths from January 1 to November 3 was recorded in Dauis at seven.

There were five and two dengue deaths in Loon and Tagbilaran City, respectively, while there were single fatal dengue cases reported in each of the following towns: Talibon, Ubay, Carmen, Catigbian, Clarin, Baclayon, Buenavista, Alburquerque, Panglao, Calape, Sierra Bullones and Sikatuna.

The PESU meanwhile recorded 1,804 dengue cases in the same period.

In 2017, health authorities recorded 1,028 dengue cases and eight deaths due to the disease. (with reports from A. Doydora)