Calbayog City records high dengue cases in 2016

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Jan. 16 (PNA) -– Despite the sustained advocacy campaign, the number of dengue cases in the city increased last year compared to 2015.

The local health office records show that in 2016, a total of 233 dengue cases was admitted at the hospitals, which is way above the 47 confined cases a year ago.

In an interview, city epidemiology and surveillance unit head Grace Campo said the data excludes those cases that were brought to other health facilities outside Calbayog and those treated only at their homes.

She added the surge in cases could be due to an increase in the existing breeding places of the mosquitoes carrying dengue virus.

“One more reason would be that the public is complacent of dengue, for the fact that we had reported low cases the past year,” Campo added.

With this result, the health office will continue and strengthen its advocacy campaign against dengue, focusing on those villages with high cases.

Campo stressed that they will closely work hand in hand with the village officials to help monitor the occurrence of the illness in the area.

She also appealed to the public to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings and destroy the possible breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The official hopes that in the future, vaccination program will also cover the city. Records from the city health office revealed that it was in 2010 when the city had the highest reported dengue cases at 470 with four deaths.

The incident prompted the local government unit to launch the dengue prevention campaign, which encourages all local employees and village officials as well as residents to conduct a weekly clean-up drive in the city. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/JENNIFER S. ALLEGADO