Dengue cases in Philippines alarming, ex-PMA president

The number of dengue cases in the Philippines has become alarming, former Philippine Medical Association president Benito Atienza said Monday.

“Yes, dapat tayo ma-alarma (we should be alarmed),” Atienza said at the Laging Handa briefing.

He issued the remark when asked about the 45,416 dengue cases recorded from January 1 to June 11 this year, 45% higher than cases recorded during the same period last year.

Atienza said more people have died of dengue than COVID-19 in Singapore.

“Kaya dapat po tayong mag-ingat ngayon… dapat po tayong mabahala kung ating mga anak o kahit po matanda, kahit nurse, kahit sino po, ay pwedeng mag dengue sa panahon ngayon,” he said.

(That’s why we should be careful right now. We should be alarmed because even senior citizens, nurses, and anyone can get dengue.)

“At saka lagi po natin tandaan na wala pong pinipili ang dengue sa edad kahit po six months lang, meron po kami ganon,” he added.

?(We should remember that dengue chooses no one, even those as young as six months.)

He also cautioned the public against water-borne diseases, influenza, and leptospirosis.

The Department of Health has advised the public to follow the 4S strategy which is to search and destroy breeding places, secure self-protection, seek early consultation, and support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas.—AOL, GMA News