"State of disaster preparedness" sought in fight against dengue

CEBU - In order for Cebu City to use its calamity funds in the purchase of chemicals to continuously combat dengue, city health officials here seek for the declaration of the city under a “state of disaster preparedness”.

Dorenda Macasucol, assistant chief of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit, had already sent her letter request to Councilor Gerardo Carillo for him to sponsor a resolution before the City Council.

The request mentioned of “additional reagents or the chemical used in determining platelet and hematocrit counts…”

Patients suffering from high fever can be subjected to a complete blood count (CBC) and hematocrit tests to determine whether they are positive of the dengue virus.  

Macasucol said the city “should not be lax in the fight against dengue” considering that the number of dengue-related casualties last year reached 52.

To recall, the city was placed under a state of disaster preparedness last year because of the rising number of dengue cases.

“The city should sustain the drive against dengue because ang statistics nagpakita nga sa matag 100 ka dengue cases, upat ngadto sa lima ka tawo ang nangamatay,” Macasucol said.

Councilor Christopher Alix, chairman of council committee on health and hospital services, warns parents not to wait three to four days before seeking medical advice whenever their children are suffering from high fever. Or it could be too late, he said.

Aside from having a high fever, persons said to be suffering from dengue complain of body malaise - severe headache, joint pains, and skin rashes.

Health officials said that prolonging medical care could be dangerous to people suffering from dengue as their blood could turn sticky, it would be difficult for such to circulate to the brain.

In Cebu City, dengue cases are prevalent in barangays Lahug, Mambaling, Labangon, Banawa, Pardo, Bulacao, Apas, Tisa, Talamban, Guadalupe, Tejero, Basak-Pardo, Sambag I and II, Inayawan, Punta Princesa, and Quiot. – Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)