Health dep't advises public over dengue

The Department of Health has advised the public to be vigilant against dengue fever since it will possibly prevail in these months when the country is still experiencing some rains.

DOH regional director Susana Madarietta said the public should regularly replace water in covered containers to prevent the dengue-causing mosquitoes from breeding.

"Naay possibility nga modaghan ang cases karon, especially that it's still rainy season. Although cases here have remained normal, we still have to watch out because it is at these times that dengue would prevail," she said, citing the upsurge in the cases of dengue in Manila.

"Used tires, bottles, tin cans and all sorts of containers become filled with rain water and breed dengue mosquitoes. There is an increased availability of stagnant water, suitable for these mosquitoes to breed," she added.

Records from Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed that there are at least 3,648 dengue patients who were admitted to different hospitals last year, a 32 percent lower compared to the figure in 2005.

Ranging from four months to 68 years old, 53 percent of the victims were male. There were 16 deaths and most of the victims belonged to the six-to-10-year age group.

DOH has advised the public to observe preventive measures like keeping the surroundings clean, especially in areas where there is stagnant water, which might be used as breeding sites by mosquitoes carrying the virus.

Plant containers like vases, pots and saucers should be cleaned at least once a week, and water drums and pails should be covered all the time to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

The department also advised the public to clean gutters and old tires, and dispose of all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can hold water.

Dengue is an acute, infectious tropical disease caused by an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, and characterized by high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain. It also called breakbone fever, dandy fever and dengue fever. - Jasmin R. Uy/LPM