Quezon City dengue cases now over 10,000

The number of dengue cases in Quezon City has reached 10,256 from January 1 to November 20, according to a report by GMA Integrated News’ Darlene Cay on Unang Balita Monday.

Of the total cases, 44 have died, according to data from the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division.

Among the victims is the child of Jemma Almen, who died of dengue in October. She said she was unaware her child was sick until they vomited and had seizures.

“Hindi namin naramdaman may sakit talaga siya kasi malakas siya. Masigla tapos naglalaro. Bigla siyang yumakap sa akin. Yun na pala umpisa noon. Nagsuka siya tapos nag-seizure,” she said.

(We didn’t notice they were really sick because they seemed energetic and healthy. Suddenly they hugged me. That was the start. They vomited and had a seizure.)

Most patients were aged 1 to 10.

The highest number of dengue cases in the city was reported in Barangay Batasan Hills, with 857 cases.

One contributing factor in the barangay is stagnant water, which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying the disease.

“Ang mga ginagawa po namin sa search and destroy ay yung mga gulong na nasa bubong na tinatamaan ng tubig-ulan, yung po ay tinatanggal namin. So yung mga drum na nakikitaan namin ng kiti-kiti tinataob namin yun at ina-advise namin sa mga constituents namin,” Barangay Batasan Hills administrator for operations Ramil Ventura said.

(In our search and destroy efforts, we remove tires that collect rainwater on roofs. We empty drums with mosquito larvae and advise our constituents.)

To prevent dengue, the environment must be kept clean and individuals should protect themselves.

The public is advised to consult a doctor if they experience symptoms such as fever, weakness, rash, vomiting, or bleeding gums.

The Department of Health (DOH) said dengue cases nationwide declined from 15,182 cases from September 28 to October 11 to 14,038 cases from October 12 to 25.

“Wala pa tayong datos doon sa mismong mga linggo na nakaraan na si Tino at si Uwan. Kaya patuloy pa rin tayong nagtatala. Wala pa tayong mga reports na nagsitaasan ang ating dengue,” DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said.

(We still don’t have data for the weeks during storms Tino and Uwan, which is why we continue recording. We have no reports yet of an increase in dengue.)

However, the DOH cautioned the public not to be complacent.—MCG, GMA Integrated News