7t cases, 18 deaths in CV this year: Vigilance vs dengue urged

MANILA, Philippines —  Vigilance against dengue especially that it is already the rainy season.

This is the reminder of the Department of Health (DOH)-7 Center for Health Development, as 6,968 dengue cases and 18 deaths were already reported in Central Visayas from January to June 2024.

Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato said that with 3,600 dengue cases for the first half of 2023, this year’s is 94 percent higher, resulting to Central Visayas ranking fourth among all regions of the country in terms of number of dengue cases.

Buscato said that dengue occurs all year round but it peaks during the rainy season.

"Ang Hunyo kada tuig mao na atong gideklarar as Dengue Awareness Month. Kani isip pagpahinumdom sa mga katawhan nga ang dengue nagpabilin gyod nga peligro ug nagpabilin nga problema, dili lang sa mga rural areas, but also in the urban areas," he said during the Kapihan sa PIA last Wednesday.

He said the ages of dengue victims this year range from one month old to 98 years old, with most cases occurring among school-age children.

Buscato also said that the highest concentration of cases was reported in rural areas, which he attributed to improper water storage practices that create breeding sites for mosquitoes.

"Number one gyod natong problem man gud during sa summer months is the lack of water supply. So ang behavior sa mga tawo mag-imbak, mag-pundo og tubig. Unya katong mga gipangpundo nga tubig, base sa amoang surveillance, di man god tarong pagkatabon,” he said.

“So katong mga gipangpundo sa planggana, gipangpundo sa balde, sa mga galon nga way taklob, gihimo nang instant breeding site sa lamok," he added.

Buscato said that warm environments speed up mosquito metabolism, leading to more frequent biting and egg-laying, as mosquitos prefer doing so at temperatures around 27 to 30 degrees Celsius.

"Kung summer months, paspas ang metabolism sa lamok. So sige silang gutomon...sige silang...pangitlog, and then so mangita sila sige og host, sige silang pamaak," he said.

Dengue is transmitted by day-biting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Infection results in high fever, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains, and pain behind the eyes.

Severe symptoms usually occur after the high fever, including difficulty in breathing, combustion, and even death.

Buscato stressed the importance of following DOH's “Enhanced 4S Strategy” against the dengue virus—search and destroy mosquito breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support misting and fogging to prevent impending outbreaks.

He reiterated getting rid of water inside dish cabinets, wearing of protective clothes like long sleeves, and applying mosquito repellent lotions.

He also urged local government units (LGUs) to conduct information campaigns to educate the public, especially that the rainy season has started and mosquitos have favorable ways for breeding.

"Giawhag gyod nato ang atong mga LGUs...nga magsugod na gyod ta og...conduct og advocacies, community symposiums, para atoa na daang mapakalat ang impormasyon og balik," Buscato said.

He further said that DOH would employ “vector control measures” to prevent outbreak and intensify the dengue awareness campaign, like indoor residual spraying in houses.

Buscato also said that addressing mild symptoms early with medical intervention can prevent the dengue virus from becoming severe.

"Kung as early as mild symptoms naa na kay mabuhat nga...medical intervention, naay posibilidad nga dili na na siya mo-progress into severe case," he said.  (CEBU NEWS)