Bulacan health execs seek intensive drive vs dengue

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Health officials in Bulacan called for an intensive campaign against dengue amid reports of alleged infections caused by a second strain of the virus.

Provincial board member Michael Fermin confirmed yesterday that he is still recovering from the second strain of dengue.

Jocelyn Gomez, head of the Provincial Public Health Office, said cleanliness is the best weapon against the virus.

Gomez said that while cases of dengue in the province have dropped in the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year, the number of casualties in the same period is currently the same.

As to the four strains of dengue, which the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed earlier, Gomez said local hospital do not have the capability to determine the strain.

“For purposes of epidemiology and determination of the strain, we still have to submit sample to Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine based in the National Capital Region,” she said.

In June, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag disclosed that there are four strains of dengue. He said that cases involving second and third strain were monitored in the Visayas.