Dengue claims 9 lives in Pangasinan
THE mosquito-borne disease, dengue, has already claimed nine lives in Pangasinan this year to date.
According to Provincial Health Office’s Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit, the fatalities were from Bolinao, Mangaldan, San Fabian, Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, Pozorrubio and Urdaneta City with one death each. Bayambang had two fatalities.
In 2019 (Jan. 1 to June 1), there were only two dengue-related deaths.
This year’s 958 dengue cases, however, are 19 percent lower compared to last year’s 1,180 cases covering the same period.
Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman, PHO head, pointed out while the number of cases is lower this year, “it is still alarming because of the nine deaths”.
The youngest case was a six-month-old baby boy and the oldest was a 54-year-old male.
PHO has placed the following under dengue watch list owing to reported cases: San Carlos City (110), Calasiao (58), Binmaley (55), Sta. Barbara (47), Bugallon (39), Mangaldan (35), Burgos (21), Dasol (19), Urbiztondo (14) and Mangatarem (11).
She said PHO believes the higher fatality rate this year owing to series of lockdowns imposed in their towns that made it difficult for the victims to go to hospitals or to their Rural Health Units (for medical consultation),” De Guzman said.
Another factor was the lack of blood supply in blood banks, she added. (Philstar Wire Services/ ECV)
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