Muntinlupa to inspect Ayala Alabang pools for dengue mosquito larvae

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa City government is planning to re-inspect all stagnant swimming pools in Ayala Alabang village following the 300-percent increase in “suspected” dengue cases in the city for the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2010, a spokesman said yesterday.

Omar Acosta, city public information office chief, said there have been 258 cases of suspected dengue from January to July, compared to only 59 last year.

He said Putatan, Tunasan and Ayala Alabang are the most affected by the disease, which is spread by mosquitos that carry the dengue virus. The mosquitos lay eggs in stagnant water.

Acosta and city health chief Dr. Edilinda Patac said while the city is now a dengue hotspot, only the Department of Health can declare if there is an outbreak in the area.

Acosta said the city government has acted to control the situation as it is still checking the cause of the rise in cases. Patac said the city government has designated dengue lanes, free diagnostic tests, hospitalization and laboratory tests for indigent residents.

Patac said for an outbreak to be declared, the affected area must have a “150-percent increase.” She said the 258 cases are just “suspected or probable” dengue cases.

She said patients who have the symptoms of dengue such as fever, rashes and bleeding are “suspected” cases while those whose platelet counts decrease are “probable” cases. A confirmatory test costs P4,000, Patac said.

According to Acosta, “simultaneous fogging” will be done in schools and barangays to ensure that the dengue-carrying mosquitos will not transfer to other areas. Patac said all the city’s nine barangays are affected by dengue.