Dengue figures double

CEBU, Philippines - The number of dengue cases in the province since the start of this year are double the figures for the same period last year.

As per records of the Integrated Provincial Health Office of the Provincial Capitol, dengue cases from January to June this year reached 1752, compared to only 888 for the same period last year.

In the list of IPHO, Carcar City had the most number of dengue cases for the past six month with 268. Last year, the city only had 41 cases. Next in the list was Argao with 161 followed by Toledo City with 145, Balamban with 137, Talisay City with 124, Asturias with 97, Sibonga with 92, San Fernando with 68, Pinamungajan with 66 and Minglanilla with 65.

Last year, included in the top ten list with the most number of dengue cases apart from Carcar City was Minglanilla, Talisay City, Liloan, Toledo City, Consolacion, Naga City, San Fernando, Tuburan and Bogo City.

IPHO head Dr. Cristina Giango noted that there have been six deaths already this year.

Giango also said that they foresee the rise of dengue cases considering that the rainy season has officially started.

Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, is carried by the mosquito called Aedes Aegypti which breeds more during the rainy season.

In the records of IPHO though, the highest case of dengue recorded was in the month of January.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration, the rainy season is from June to November while December to May is categorized as the dry season. The dry season is subdivided in two, the cool dry season from December to February and the hot dry season from March to May.

Giango said they are intensifying their operations against dengue but reminded that even with the increase in dengue cases, fogging is still not the solution to mitigate dengue cases.

The Department of Health has already stressed against indiscriminate fogging, which, instead of killing mosquitoes, may even cause these to develop resistance to insecticides.

DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag was in Cebu recently to strengthen their campaign against dengue. Dengue cases have already reached 37,835 in the whole country. In Region 7 alone it has already reached 5,559.

Further, Giango reminded the public that in case of early symptoms like fever and body pain, patients should be brought to the nearest health center or hospital for a check-up just to make sure that it is not just more than flu.

Apart from Dengue, Giango said that an immediate check-up would also set aside the possibility of meningococcemia which has the same symptoms as dengue.  (FREEMAN)