Dengue kills 2 more children in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - Health officials announced yesterday that two more children died because of the dengue virus in Cebu City a few days ago, bringing to four the total number of casualties reported since January.

Durinda Macasocol, assistant head of the Cebu City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit, identified the latest casualties as 13-year-old Dencel Vercide of barangay Labangon who died last February 18, and Rolly Saberon, two-year-old from barangay Budlaan who died last February 24.

The two other casualties were Liezel Jorcales, three years old, and seven-year-old Charellie Sacedon, who died at the Cebu City Medical Center and Cebu Doctor’s Hospital on January 2 and 27, respectively.

Vercide was taken to Chong Hua Hospital because of high fever on February 10 but he died eight days later.

Saberon was also rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center after he experienced high fever on February 24 but he died on the same day.

According to Macasocol, her office has recorded 128 dengue cases last January and an initial number of 74 cases for February.

The Cebu City health officials had intensified their information campaign on how to fight the mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus, saying early detection of dengue cases is the best way to minimize deaths.

Although the 22 dengue-related deaths last year is lower than the 37 deaths in 2010, still Macasocol said what we want is zero death.

City Health Officer Stella Ygoña said early detection plays a major role in the prevention of deaths. — (FREEMAN)