Dengue claims 21 lives in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — Although the number of dengue cases in Cebu City continues to drop since the end of September, dengue-related deaths also climbed to 21 as of the end of November.

The number of deaths increased from 10 in the middle of September to 21 at the end of November, according to the report submitted by the Cebu City Health Department to Mayor Raymond Garcia.

Despite the increase in the number of dengue-related deaths, Garcia is thankful that the number of people afflicted by the dreaded mosquito-borne disease has significantly decreased.

As of the first week of December, the city is only left with 15 dengue cases from as high as 292 cases in August. Based on the data submitted by city health officer Dr. Daisy Villa to Garcia, the city already logged 4,132 dengue cases with 21 fatalities.

The first two deaths were reported in March followed by another two in the months of June and July. Dengue cases shoot up in the month of August with seven deaths.

Four additional deaths were reported in September, three in October, and one in November. From as high as 292 cases during the last week of August, figures started to go down to 130 cases in November until the latest figure at 15 cases as of the first week of December.

With the significant drop in the number of dengue cases, Garcia commended the city health department, City Hall and barangay employees and all the rest of those who helped in implementing the necessary intervention to bring down the number of cases in the city.

CHD initiated mapping high-dengue incidence areas in Cebu City to strategically pinpoint areas where mosquitoes could spread, urged barangay officials and the public to clean their surroundings especially the potential breeding grounds of these mosquitos also known as search and destroy operations while also encouraging the Cebuanos to practice the rest of the 4S strategies---self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and supporting indoor and outdoor spraying.

Garcia hopes everyone will remain vigilant because it is still rainy season. The World Health Organization in its previous report had noted that dengue cases is likely to increase on rainy season. — (FREEMAN)