ANGELES CITY – The number of dengue cases in Central Luzon is now 461 percent higher than during last year’s first semester, but the Department of Health (DOH) in the region said the cases have not reached alarming levels.
In a report sent to Punto, the DOH regional office noted over 3,877 dengue cases since last January in Central Luzon as the country observes for the first time Dengue Awareness Month in June.
“Ninety one percent of the cases were admitted in the different disease reporting units in the region,” the DOH report said.
But the report also noted that “the trend of cases by morbidity week is declining.” It added, however, that “monthly cases are still higher compared to the same period last year.
Still, the DOH called for continuing vigilance against dengue amid the onset of the rainy season which usually triggers higher cases of the ailment transmitted by the Aedes Egypti mosquito which breeds in clear, stagnant pools of water.
At the national level, the number of dengue cases for the first half of the year increased by eight percent compared to the same period last year.
The DOH said that it received almost 23,000 cases of dengue from January to May and with the approaching school year. The government has declared June as Dengue Awareness Month.
Most of the incidents reported came from the National Capital Region, with Quezon City having the highest number with 1,694 followed by Manila with 824, Caloocan with 775, Pasig 592, Valenzuela 466, and Paranaque City with 400 cases, among others.
In line with this year’s theme of “Eskwelahan, Simbahan, Barangay,
Palengke at Buong Komunidad, Sama-Sama Nating Sugpuin ang Dengue,” the DOH seeks to raise awareness against dengue through its “4S Kontra Dengue” campaign.
The 4S’ stand for Search and Destroy, Seek early consultation, Self-protective measures and Say no to indiscriminate fogging, the DOH said.
Centers for Health Development have been ordered to cooperate fully with local government units for a more effective dengue awareness campaign.
Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag said that while dengue was now a yearlong disease, “cases surge during the months of June until August”, considered the rainy months in the country.
The ages of those affected by the disease range from a month to 89 years old, with most of the victims being male.
Tayag said that June 15 and every year thereafter will be observed as Asean Dengue Day with the theme “Dengue is Everybody’s Concern, Causing Socio-economic Burden, but it’s preventable.” –Ding Cervantes
