12 QC barangays declared dengue hotspots

Twelve barangays in Quezon City were declared dengue hotspots, Jonathan Andal reported Saturday on 24 Oras Weekend.

According to the Quezon City Health Office, there were 148 new dengue cases in locality after the Southwest Monsoon and tropical cyclone Carina struck the country.

The following barangays were identified as hotspots:

·Lourdes

·San Isidro Labrador

·Sta. Teresita

·Batasan Hills

·Bagumbayan

·Blue Ridge B

·Libis

·St. Ignatius

·Baesa

·Sangandaan

·Talipapa

·Tandang Sora

Most of the cases were children between the ages of one and 10.

The Health Department said that dengue cases in the country increased by 33% this year compared to the same period in 2023.

However, since the data is only up to July 27, 2024, it is not yet possible to determine if the flooding due to the Southwest Monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina caused the dengue outbreak.

Currently, the visible cause of the increase in dengue cases is El Niño, as households stored water and rainwater in containers.

DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, meanwhile, reminded the public of the symptoms of dengue such as fever and body pain.

"Sa panahon ngayon, mas sigurado ang kumonsulta agad at huwag natin iisipin na lagnat lang to at aantayin natin ng isang araw," said Domingo.

(During this time, it is better to consult your doctor immediately and don't  disregard the symptoms and wait until the next day.)

Meanwhile, the local government of Ormoc City in Leyte declared a state of calamity due to the dengue outbreak in the area.

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez earlier requested the city council to declare a state of calamity due to the rising number of dengue cases, based on the recommendations of the Ormoc City Health Board and the City  Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

A total of 444 dengue cases were recorded from January 1, 2024 to  August 3, 2024, City Health Officer Dr. Sarah Hermoso said in an emergency meeting with local government officials.

This was 225% higher than the cases in the same period last year.

"Dr. Hermoso explained that the data showed that at least 20% of the population is now affected by the epidemic," the resolution read.

Last July, the Department of Health (DOH)  said dengue cases in the country began rising amid the rainy season.

The number of dengue cases in the country hit the 18,000 mark in July, DOH data showed. — Sherylin Untalan and Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM/VBL, GMA Integrated News