Dengue cases down but 11 areas still on high risk
LINGAYEN—Dengue cases around the province decreased by 50 percent from January to June 3 this year with 363 cases recorded compared to 666 in the same period last year.
However, 11 areas remain under the Provincial Health Office’s (PHO) dengue watch list, namely: the cities of San Carlos and Alaminos, and the towns of Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Mangaldan, Bayambang, Lingayen, Manaoag, San Fabian, Bani and Sta. Maria.
Dr. Anna de Guzman, provincial health officer, said these are considered high-risk areas because they had recorded the highest number of cases so far.
“They have started to record double-digit number of cases and we don’t want them to relax although their number is going down compared last year,” she added.
She said the drop in dengue cases could be attributed to the high awareness in the communities on dengue controls, the cooperation of municipal health officers in the campaign on the 4’o’clock habit of cleaning the surroundings, and frequent issuance of advisory through multi-media.
De Guzman also reported that one boy has so far died this year from the mosquito-borne disease. There were three fatalities last year.
The PHO is conducting an information campaign in schools and advising high-risk areas to undertake misting operations to get rid of mosquitoes.
De Guzman also issued a memorandum to sanitary inspectors last month to ensure cleanliness in schools and its canteens, do vermin control, check for needs to do a repeat treatment of medicines to treated mosquito curtains used in different classrooms as a preventive measure against mosquitos.
De Guzman said the PHO monitors dengue year-round.–Eva Visperas
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