3-year-old is latest dengue casualty

CEBU, Philippines - One more child died of dengue last week, placing to six the number of casualties of the mosquito-borne disease in Cebu City since January, said Durinda Macasocol, assistant head of the Cebu City Health’s Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit.

Macasocol said Malcolm Zack, three years old, of V. Colina Street in barangay Mabolo was brought to Cebu Doctors Hospital, but he died on the same day because of the so-called “dengue shock.”

Statistics show that the same number of casualties was also recorded in the first two months last year. While this is so, records also show that there are more cases recorded in the same period this year, totaling 316, compared to the same period last year which saw 161 cases.

The three casualties in February came from barangays Bulacao, Tejero and Calamba the two casualties in January came from barangays Tejero and Pardo.

Forty one deaths were recorded last year, lower than the 52 deaths in the city in 2008.

For early detection, health officials continue to urge the public to bring their family members or relatives to the hospital immediately when they experience severe fever. Severe fever and joint pains are among the indications that a person is infected with the dengue virus.

Residents may not be charged for their medicine consumption and hospitalization as long as they are confined at the city-run Cebu City Medical Center.

Dengue patients can also approach the seven satellite laboratories situated in barangays Talamban, Mabolo, Luz, Parian, Punta Princesa, Guadalupe and Pardo, which can provide them with free Complete Blood Count test and platelet monitoring for those with complaints of fever. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)