Dengue cases up 40%, but no outbreak reported
LINGAYEN–Dengue cases in the province shot up by 40 per cent from January to September 3 this year, reaching 4,352 cases with 17 deaths compared to 3,908 cases with 14 deaths in the same period last year.
But Dr. Anna Maria Teresa de Guzman, provincial health officer, reassured the public that there is still no “outbreak” level in any municipality or city.
An outbreak or epidemic level is declared when there is “clustering” in every barangay or when neighbors have the same disease and there is no immediate and sufficient medical attention provided, and when there are already a number of fatalities due to the disease.
Placed under the dengue watch list are the towns of Sta. Maria, Rosales, Dasol, San Nicolas, Tayug. San Fabian, San Jacinto, Bani and Burgos.
The Provincial Health Office recorded high dengue cases in July with about 2,000 compared to 1,000 last year.
In August, about 1,300 cases were listed versus last year’s 988.
De Guzman again called on barangay officials to intensify cleanup drives in their respective communities to destroy the breeding areas of mosquitoes that carry the disease, stressing that the threat will remain high until the rainy season is over.–Eva Visperas with report from Johanne R. Macob
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
