In Cebu City from January to May 2022: 13 deaths, 422 cases of dengue

CEBU, Philippines — The number of dengue cases in Cebu City rose significantly in the first five months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

City Health Office chief, Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, said they recorded 422 dengue cases from January to May 2022, much higher than the 36 cases recorded in the same number in 2021.  At least 13 died from the disease in this time period this year.

The 10 barangays with the most number of dengue cases in 2022, so far, include Guadalupe, Lahug, Mambaling, Labangon, Quiot, Kamputhaw, Capitol Site, Pardo, Tisa, Kalunasan and Punta Princesa.

Most of those who died from dengue were below 15 years old while two of them were above 50 years old.

Some were rushed to the hospital when their cases were already severe. Others were not detected right away.

“Sa tinuod lang, nisaka gyud atong cases sa dengue. In fact, kung i-compare nato sa last year from January to May, ang atong dengue cases niabot ra og almost 40… Karon, niabot ta’g mga 400 plus,” Ibones said.

The rise in cases can be one of the effects of typhoon Odette in December and other weather disturbances that hit the city in 2022 like Tropical Depression Agaton in March. Because of the weather disturbances, surroundings also became dirty and stagnant water accumulated everywhere.

“Importante man gud aning dengue is ang pagpanglimpyo… Sa bagyong Odette, grabe kaayo nangaguba atong mga balay… Mga tire nauwanan, puy-an na’g mga nguyo-nguyo…,” Ibones said.

The City Health Department (CHD) has already met with city and barangay health workers for re-orientation.

“Ang mga barangay and city health workers, ato nana silang gi-meeting tungod kay nakita nato nga nisaka gyud atong kaso,” Ibones said.

Dr. Mark Remedio of CHD has been tasked to lead response efforts.

“Ako na siyang giingnan nga muadto gyud siya sa mga barangay, as well as dapat naa gyuy point person sa mga dengue teams nato para maoy mu-report. In case naay gihilantan, ato dayong i-laboratory para ma-detect nato ang case early,” Ibones said.

 CHD has also coordinated with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which has jurisdiction over barangays.

“Nakig-coordinate sad mi sa DILG kay dili man ni siya ingon nga Cebu City Health lang gyud…Naghatag ta’g letter sa atong mga kapitan para ato silang ma-orient og unsa gyuy buhaton kay naa man gyud unta tay dengue task force sa barangay,” Ibones said.

Ibones said there is a need to teach the communities how to “search and destroy” the Aedes Aegypti mosquito or dengue mosquitos. It is offering misting to barangays.

Ibones also urges everyone to keep their surroundings clean and avoid stagnating waters.

“Importante gyud ang pagpanglimpyo maong awhag namo sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga kinahanglan gyud ta manglimpyo… Tan-awn nato ang atong mga tanom, mga pot nato ug labi na sa mga tire…ang mga tubig…Even sa mga aircon nato, kinahanglan pud nang tan -awon,” Ibones said. - Decemay P. Padilla, JMO (FREEMAN)