HEALTH authorities in North Cotabato have been alarmed and are on heightened alert with the continuous rise of dengue cases in the province.

According to Dr. Eva Rabaya, Integrated Provincial Health Office chief, the province has recorded 1,136 dengue cases from January to June this year.

That’s an increase of 390 percent compared to the same period last year.

Rabaya said that North Cotabato’s lone city and 17 municipalities have listed only 229 cases for the same period in 2021.

She added that eight dengue patients have died this year, coming from Kidapawan City, and the towns of President Roxas, M’lang, Alamada and Magpet.

“In 2021, only one patient had died,” she said.

Amid the rising cases, Rabaya appealed to all North Cotabateños to clean their surroundings and practice the “4S” strategy: Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; apply Self-protection measures like wearing of long dress and pajamas; Seek early consultation with medical experts when symptoms appear; and Support fogging operations when an outbreak occurs.