Dengue outbreak reported, too, in Antique town

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday confirmed outbreaks of both dengue and chikungunya, both mosquito-borne diseases, in Patnongon, Antique.

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said their investigation showed some patients were even both afflicted with the chikungunya and dengue viruses.

According to Tayag, initially dengue and chikungunya manifest similar symptoms, but dengue in later stages can result in shock, bleeding, organ failure, and possibly death.

Tayag said the chikungunya virus is more common among children than adults, with some patients also suffering from mouth ulcers and loss of taste.

There were also reports of severe and persistent headaches, red eyes, difficulty looking at light, nausea, and light rashes among chikungunya patients.

“The mosquitoes have gone prolific,” Tayag said.

Last week, the DOH declared a chikungunya outbreak in Patnongon town after 313 cases have been recorded since April.

Health experts have found bamboo fences in the affected villages to be mosquito-breeding sites as these have kept rainwater.

Tayag said the outbreaks of both dengue and chikungunya were not surprising at all.

“Chikungunya outbreaks in the Philippines coincide with the dengue season during the rainy months. Areas with known dengue risk are also at risk for chikungunya,” he said.

The DOH reported a total of 45,037 dengue cases nationwide from Jan. 1 to June 15.

The latest Dengue Surveillance Report from the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center shows that the recorded cases in the first half of the year was 2.80 percent lower than the 46,336 cases during the same period last year.

A total of 204 deaths were reported in the first six months of 2013 compared to 308 cases during the comparable period last year.

Majority of the cases this year were recorded in Central Visayas (6,020), Western Visayas (5,109), Calabarzon (5,046), Davao region (4,513), and Soccsksargen (4,349). Metro Manila only had 3,210 cases.