Cebu’s dengue cases decrease in January

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City has recorded a 58-percent decrease in dengue cases for January, however, the fatality rate has slightly increased for the same period last year.

City Health Officer Dr. Daisy Villa said there are 206 dengue cases recorded from the different reporting units within Cebu City from January 1 to February 1, 2020.

There was a decrease of 58 percent for the same period last year, which had 495 cases and three deaths.

“Atong cases from January 1 to February 1 kay ni gamay, which is 206 compared to the same period last year which was 495. We decreased by 58 percent sa atong cases.  However, ang death nato for the same period is three, karon kay duha.  So, when you compute for the case fatality rate, mas taas ato fatality rate.  Now it is 0.97 percent, before was 0.61 percent,” said Villa.

The age group mostly affected is between 11 and 20 years old, which takes about 39 percent.

Villa said that the top five barangays with the most number of cases are Guadalupe and Labangon in the first place with 18 cases each; Talamban with 15; Tisa with 12; Lahug with 11; and Mambaling with 10 cases.

The two fatalities came from Barangays Taptap and Inayawan.

Villa said that the City Health Office has formed a dengue task force that has been conducting the 4S – search and destroy, self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and say no to indiscriminate fogging.

She added that the public should continue with the 4 o’clock habit, to search and destroy possible contaminated water where mosquitos may thrive, and to listen to barangay officials on their reminders to clean the areas.

Last July 2019, Health Secretary Francisco Duque declared a national dengue alert.

The health department issued this protocol to arrest the continuous increase in dengue cases all over the country and prevent an epidemic.

Dengue is seen as the fastest spreading mosquito-borne disease in the country – a viral disease with no known vaccine or specific antibiotics.

According to the DOH, effective surveillance can also help in reducing cases and deaths if areas with clustering of cases are identified early.

The signs and symptoms of the disease include severe headache, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.  GAN (FREEMAN)