DOH closely monitoring 17 dengue ‘hot spots’

Seventeen areas in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Cebu are closely being monitored by the Department of Health (DOH) because of the high incidence of dengue.

The hot spots are Gen. T. de Leon, Karuhatan, Malinta and Marulas in Valenzuela City; Bagong Barrio, Bagong Silang, Dagat-Dagatan, Maypajo and Sangandaan in Caloocan City; Sucat in Parañaque City; Batasan Hills, Bulod and Novaliches in Quezon City; Potrero and Dagat-Dagatan in Malabon, Daang Hari in Navotas; Maguinao in San Rafael, Bulacan and Poblacion in Tanjay, Cebu.

A report by the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) showed that dengue cases were observed clustering in these areas on Sept. 22.

The DOH said Quezon City had the highest number of cases with 1,572; followed by Manila with 1,292; Caloocan City with 1,003; Valenzuela City with 451 and Malabon with 332.

The report showed that there were 21,250 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Sept. 22 across the country. This is still 23.3 percent lower than the 27,705 cases registered during the same period last year.

Death toll this year is at 260. Last year, it reached 335.

The DOH noted that because of heightened awareness about dengue, people now consult doctors immediately for symptoms which can also be associated with other illnesses.

The agency added that barring more heavy rains, the dengue season is expected to end by middle of this month.