DOH-7 probing 3 dengue deaths

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health-7 is looking into the dengue deaths in Central Visayas for the month of January.

As of January 31 this year, a total of 281 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases were recorded, including three deaths. The fatalities were from three different towns: Bacong in Negros Oriental, Dauis and Bilar in Bohol.

While this is 51 percent lower than the 575 total cases in the same period of last year and with also three fatalities, regional director Jaime Bernadas wanted to know what caused the three deaths.

“We will check how come we have the same number of deaths despite the decline in the number of cases so that we can address the concern right away,” Bernadas said.

He has directed the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit to look into the circumstances of the incidence.

“Generally, na improved na ang management of dengue in the region. But our concern is on the death. Which is why we will conduct additional investigation,” he said.

Of the total 281 dengue cases for the whole month of January this year, Lapu-Lapu City topped with 24. Next to Lapu-Lapu City are Cebu City (22 cases), Dumanjug in Cebu (21 cases), Jagna in Bohol (10 cases), Carcar City in Cebu (9 cases), Tagbilaran City in Bohol (9 cases), Sibulan in Negros Oriental (8 cases), Maribojoc in Bohol (7 cases), Panglao in Bohol (6 cases), and Siaton in Negros Oriental (6 cases).

Youngest of all laboratory-confirmed dengue is four months old while the oldest is 84 years old. Most of the patients were aged 21 years old and above.  (FREEMAN)