Girl, 5, is Cebu City's first dengue fatality

CEBU, Philippines - A five-year-old girl from Barangay Cogon-Pardo is the first casualty of dengue in Cebu City this year, Cebu City Health officials announced yesterday.

Marielle Absin was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center by her parents after she experienced severe fever last Jan. 31. She died on Feb. 2.

Durinda Macasocol, assistant head of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit, said she quickly sent a team of health personnel to the girl's residence to spray chemicals that kill dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

“Pagkahibalo namo nga namatay g'yud tawon ang bata akong giusban pagpa-spray ang ilang balay ug ang palibot," Macasocol said.

The records show that in January 2011 there were two dengue-related casualties while this year there were none.

It was reported that there were 22 dengue-related casualties in Cebu City in 2010, but the statistics went down to only 13 last year. In 2009 there were 36 casualties.

"Bisan og mikunhod ang number of casualties apan dili gihapon kita malipay kay ang among gusto nga wala na g'yud unta'y mamatay," Macasocol said.

The city health officials reminded the public to be vigilant in their respective homes to prevent members of their families from contracting the dengue virus.

"Manglimpyo lang g'yud kanunay unya gub-on ang mga puy-anan sa lamok sa ilang palibot, labaw na g'yud diha sa sulod sa kabalayan," Macasocol said.  (FREEMAN)