DOH-7: Dengue cases increased by 80 percent

CEBU, Philippines - An 80 percent increase was noted in the number of dengue cases in the region in just the first quarter of this year, as compared to the same period in 2015.

According the data of the Department of Health-7, from January 1 to March 5 this year, dengue cases increased to 2,531, as compared to last year which had 1,403. Dengue-related deaths have also increased this year to 15 from last year’s 6 deaths.  

A comparative data of the agency revealed that Cebu City has the most number of dengue cases among other cities and municipalities in Central Visayas on the given period, both in 2015 and 2016.

In 2016 alone, majority of the cases were recorded from Cebu City with 362 cases and two deaths (14.4 percent). In 2015, Cebu City had 278 cases and one death.

Cebu City is followed by Mandaue City with 130 cases (5.1 percent); Liloan town with 91 cases and one death (3.6 percent); Toledo City with 87 cases (3.4 percent); and Talisay City with 81 cases and one death (3.2 percent).

The data disclosed by the City Hall’s Cebu City Health Department showed that a total of 408 cases including two deaths were recorded from January 1 to February 27 in 2016 while 208 cases including one death was recorded on the same period in 2015.

CHD Head Dr. Daisy Villa said the data was collated from their weekly reports based on hospital admissions.

She said that she expected the increase in dengue cases in Cebu City considering the number of residents in the area.

“Adunay posibilidad nga daghan ang kaso sa dengue sa Cebu City tungod kay daghan man og residente diri,” said Villa.

Ma. Michelle Acosta, one of the nurses of DOH-7 assigned under the dengue prevention program, said that contrary to what others think that dengue cases will decrease during the summer season, she explained that since a number of people are saving water in containers, mosquitoes find more breeding ground.

 “Taas kaayo ang dengue cases nato this year. Ting-init naman ug ting-pundo na pud sa tubig. Mao na atong mahinumdom sa katawhan nga takoban og tarung ang sudlanan sa tubig,” said Acosta.

During the Kapihan sa PIA–Cebu discussion, Acosta presented the findings collated from DOH-7’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit on the current situation of dengue in Central Visayas.

Dengue fever cases and deaths were recorded on the different Disease Reporting Units (DRU) of the health agency.

“A total of 2,531 cases (and,) 15 deaths were reported for the period January 1-March 5, 2016. This is 80 percent higher compared to the same period of last year with 1,043 cases, six deaths,” the findings read, noting that the age of recorded cases ranged from three days old to 93 years old but most of those affected were under the six to 10 years age group.

Further, Dr. Villa of CHD said quarterly activities done by CHD to combat mosquito population will not prevail if not complemented with community-based initiatives at the barangay and household level.

“Sila mismo mopahigayon og 4 o’clock habit aron molimpyo sa ilang tugkaran ug tan-awon ang mga posibleng ka-itlogan sa mga lamok. Dili huwaton ang City Health Department nga sila mo-anha sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka barangay,” said Villa.

“Kita mismo, kita ang nagmugna sa sakit. Tungod kay ting-init man ug minus ang tubig, ang tawo nagpundo og tubig pero dili tabunan. Be responsible nga ikaw magpundo og tubig imong tabunan. Kita mismo molihok sa tagsa-tagsa nato ka balay,” she added. — (FREEMAN)