Dengue hits Batanes island town
BASCO, Batanes, Philippines – Sixty-one villagers in the island town of Sabtang have contracted the dengue virus, 13 of them still confined in the hospital.
The dengue outbreak started last June 27 when athletes and cultural performers who took part in the Palarong Panlalawigan and Batanes Foundation Day here, returned to Sabtang, 34 kilometers southwest of this capital town.
Mayor Max Babalo said he opposed the holding of the weeklong athletic meet, but the other mayors of the province outvoted him.
“I was against holding the games, as it would surely cause the dengue virus to be transported to my small town of 1,846 people,” Babalo said.
Sabtang has only one medical practitioner, Dr. Cherylyn Gavino, who was earlier reported to be suffering from dengue, too.
Babalo told The STAR that they are in need of medicine since municipal funds are not enough.
“I appeal to the national leadership to help us with more medicine and if possible with medical personnel,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Vicente Gato said the dengue situation in Itbayat, the country’s northernmost island town, has normalized.
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