Cebu City keeps tabs on pneumonia, measles, diarrhea

Health authorities in Cebu City are keeping tabs on pneumonia, measles and diarrhea, which they consider the "leading" diseases there.

 

The City Health Office is particularly concerned over the sudden rise in pneumonia cases, according to a report on GMA Cebu.

 

Citing the health office's data, the report said pneumonia cases rose from 1,695 in the first half of 2013 to 1,825 in the first six months of this year.

 

 

At least 16 people had died from pneumonia, including nine from the west area (Calamba, Guadalupe, Labangon, Punta Princesa and Tisa) and seven from the east area (Pahina Central, Sambag, Santo Niño and Suba).

 

Measles

 

At least five confirmed cases of measles were recorded in the first half of this year, with 205 suspected cases in Cebu City.

 

Of the 205 suspected cases, 50 were aged 9 and below.

 

Diarrhea

 

While there has been no increase in the number of diarrhea cases so far this year, authorities are monitoring for the disease.

 

Presently, the city government recorded 1,329 cases compared to 1,388 in the first half of 2013.

 

Dengue

 

Meanwhile, the City Health Office also cautioned the public to take precautions against dengue, a year-round threat.

 

It said there were 364 cases from January to June this year, compared to 984 in the same period in 2013.

 

Yet the city health office is looking for ways to vaccinate people so they do not catch these diseases.

 

The city health office also reminded residents to eat healthy foods and observe good hygiene. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News