PALO, Leyte, Dec. 14 -- The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed alarm over the rising number of dengue cases in Eastern Visayas, with 49 deaths and 8,787 affected individuals from January until early December 8 this year.
The number of people who fell ill this year has doubled compared to the 2017 figure, while deaths is 85 percent up from last year.
“There is already an unusual occurrence of cases considering the number of cases, deaths, and the number of areas seen with clustering of cases,” DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said in a press briefing Friday.
Dengue deaths have been reported in Ormoc City, Baybay City, Albuera, Bato, Hilongos, Capoocan, Hindang, Jaro, San Isidro, and Tacloban City in Leyte; Borongan City, Salcedo, Guiuan, and Hernani in Eastern Samar; Catarman, Gamay, Biri, and Palapag, Northern Samar; Pintuyan, Libagon, and Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte; Cabucgayan and Naval in Biliran; Calbayog City, Marabut, and Tarangnan in Samar province.
“The number of cases is not the highest in the history of Eastern Visayas region, but this is every alarming since there are reported cases in new areas,” Molon said.
Based on DOH records, 2018 has the most number of cases since 2010 where about 12,000 people were afflicted by this mosquito-borne disease.
“Next week, we will drumbeat an anti-dengue campaign for mayors in areas with dengue deaths. We have to talk to them and help them come up with strategies to protect people from dengue infection,” the DOH regional chief added.
The official asked city and town mayors to advise villages to organize clean-up campaigns focusing on the destruction of mosquito breeding places in their areas, and conduct community assembly in areas with dengue cases.
The official reiterated the DOH’s “4S” to fight dengue as an effective strategy to prevent cases and deaths.
These “4S” strategy are search and destroy mosquito breeding places, seek early consultation, self-protection method, and support fogging/spraying only in hot spot areas, where increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks, to prevent impending outbreak.
Dengue fever is marked by an onset of sudden high fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes, muscles and joints. Some may develop rashes and varying degree of bleeding in various parts of the body. (SQM/PNA)
No comments:
Post a Comment