January-April dengue cases up; officials urge public to take precautions

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) expressed concern over the rising number of dengue cases this year, saying authorities have recorded nearly 10,000 dengue cases from January to April alone. In a surveillance report, the DOH–National Epidemiology Center (NEC) indicated that the cases covering January 1 to April 10 already hit 9,555. This is higher by almost 30 percent compared to the number of cases during same period last year. “This (figure) is 29.4 percent higher compared to the same period last year, when it stood at 7,384 cases," the report stated. The report also noted that deaths due to dengue stood at 111 which is higher by as much as 29 fatalities as compared to last year, the report said. According to the report, National Capital Region (NCR) posted the bulk of the dengue cases with 2,443 victims. Of the 2,443 Metro victims, the city of Manila had the most number of cases with 687 followed by Quezon City and Caloocan City with 362 and 328, respectively. The same report also showed that Central Visayas (1,384), Central Luzon (1,221), Calabarzon (881), Zamboanga (805) and Soccsksargen (655) likewise recorded high number of dengue cases. Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH Emerging and Reemerging Disease Prevention National Program Manager, advised the public to continuously search for areas where dengue-carrying mosquitoes thrive and subsequently clean such breeding grounds. “We must always practice the search and destroy strategy. It remains to be the best way to combat dengue fever," Lee Suy told reporters, adding that the public to continue self-protection measures and immediately seek medical consultation at the first signs of dengue. Meanwhile, following the weather bureau's announcement that the rainy season’s onset may have come earlier than it should, acting Manila Mayor Mayor Isko Moreno called on the city residents to take all the necessary precautions against dengue. Moreno also asked barangay officials to spearhead a massive anti-dengue clean-up drive within their respective areas of jurisdiction. If needed, Moreno said the barangay officials may also coordinate with the Manila Health Department and city-run hospitals for proper information dissemination and implementation of precautionary measures against the potentially fatal illness. Moreno also directed City Engineer Armand Andres to conduct a citywide inspection to pinpoint areas where there are accumulated o stagnant water such as abandoned street diggings and open manholes. Moreno stressed that the dengue-carrying mosquitoes thrive in the said areas, so that these have to be cleaned up immediately. He advised barangay officials to help undertake the necessary measures, such as cleaning up of the surroundings and disinfecting possible breeding places for mosquitoes. Moreno noted that disinfecting such areas would be a better way of cleaning up, since defogging or plain fumigation only drives the mosquitoes away, without killing them. - GMANews.TV