MANILA - Negros Occidental officials are raising the alarm after the number of dengue cases in the province was found to have increased compared to 2008.

From January to November 7, the number of cases from the mosquito-borne disease has reached 1,156 in the province.

The number was 5.4% higher compared to the number of cases in the same period last year. Last year 1,094 cases were recorded for the same period.

For the period this year, Bago City recorded the highest number of cases with 182.

The number of fatalities for the period also rose to 20 – a 45% increase to last year’s 11.

Gov. Isidro Zayco said the data on cases of the deadly disease in the province is very alarming.

He reminded rural health units of the province to implement preventive measures and also activated the province’s task force against dengue. From a report of Barbara Mijares, ABS-CBN News Negros