Dengue cases down 6.5% in QC

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has ordered a no-letup drive against dengue even as cases of the killer disease in the city went down by 6.5 percent from January to May this year compared to the same period last year.

The decrease has been attributed to the city government’s continuing effort to curb the spread of the disease, which is transmitted by day-biting Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes.

The local health department said 189 dengue cases have been reported in the city during the first five months of the year, which is 26 cases fewer than the 215 previously recorded by the department.

Dengue cases were reported at the San Lazaro Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Center and National Children’s Hospital.

District II, which constitutes majority of the city’s depressed communities, registered the most number of dengue cases with 86, followed by District 1, with 52.

The number of dengue-related deaths is also lower this year. Six deaths have been recorded during the first five months of 2005 as against the eight deaths recorded in 2004.

Belmonte has directed city health officer Dr. Ma. Paz Ugalde to continue taking all the necessary precautionary measures to avert possible dengue outbreaks.

According to health authorities, the disease, which is more prevalent during the rainy season, peaks in July and August.

Measures include a continuous information campaign to raise the level of awareness in curbing the spread of the disease.

The mayor has mobilized barangay officials to assist city health workers in the information drive, which underscores the importance of maintaining cleanliness in reducing the number of potential breeding grounds for the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.