Dengue cases up in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The number of dengue cases here has increased since January, the city health office (CHO) reported yesterday.

The CHO said 19 deaths were recorded from over 4,000 patients.

“I want to see a decrease from July to December, otherwise there is a need to find new people for this job,” Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said in a statement issued yesterday.

“That the number of deaths could reach this high is definitely disconcerting... I am appalled because the government is supposed to be doing everything to destroy breeding places of mosquitoes carrying the virus,” Carpio said. 

She ordered a review of measures to fight dengue and other preventable diseases.

Carpio also directed the CHO to coordinate with barangay officials in the implementation of anti-dengue programs.