CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Despite reports of A(H1N1) cases in Central Luzon, the Department of Health (DOH) in the region reported yesterday that mosquito-borne dengue fever remains a more serious threat to local folk.
Dr. Irene Canlas, head of the DOH’s regional epidemiology department, told Punto that since last January, five have already died from dengue in Central Luzon.
She cited reports as of yesterday that 429 dengue cases have already been reported in her region. Other details on the cases, however, were not immediately available.
This, amid reports that so far, only four cases of A(H1N1) flu have been confirmed in the region. The three, all residents of Central Luzon, were guests in a wedding party in Zambales attended last May 17 by two Taiwanese nationals who were found to have the flu upon their return to Taiwan two days later.
DOH regional director Dr. Rio Magpantay said that the three, including a Balikbayan resident of Central Luzon, have already fully recovered.
“In terms of mortality, dengue is definitely more dangerous that A(H1N1),” Canlas said. She noted though, that the five deaths and 429 cases so far reported this year is much lower than the cases reported over the same period last year.
But Canlas said “this is not reason for complacency. We have to be alert because the rainy season has set in.”
She stressed the need to wage an awareness campaign to prod people to clean up ponds of water in their environment which serve as breeding places for the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Dr. Irene Canlas, head of the DOH’s regional epidemiology department, told Punto that since last January, five have already died from dengue in Central Luzon.
She cited reports as of yesterday that 429 dengue cases have already been reported in her region. Other details on the cases, however, were not immediately available.
This, amid reports that so far, only four cases of A(H1N1) flu have been confirmed in the region. The three, all residents of Central Luzon, were guests in a wedding party in Zambales attended last May 17 by two Taiwanese nationals who were found to have the flu upon their return to Taiwan two days later.
DOH regional director Dr. Rio Magpantay said that the three, including a Balikbayan resident of Central Luzon, have already fully recovered.
“In terms of mortality, dengue is definitely more dangerous that A(H1N1),” Canlas said. She noted though, that the five deaths and 429 cases so far reported this year is much lower than the cases reported over the same period last year.
But Canlas said “this is not reason for complacency. We have to be alert because the rainy season has set in.”
She stressed the need to wage an awareness campaign to prod people to clean up ponds of water in their environment which serve as breeding places for the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
