Dengue claims 2 more lives in city

CEBU, Philippines - Two more children had died of dengue, bringing to five the number of casualties in Cebu City since January this year.

Durinda Macasocol, assistant chief of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit, said the latest victims were from barangays Guadalupe and Camputhaw.

Macasocol said the five-year-old child from Guadalupe was brought to Chong Hua Hospital last February 7 after she experienced fever. She died a week later on Valentine’s Day.

Meanwhile, the four-year-old victim from Camputhaw was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center on February 13 due to high fever but also died five days later.

The children who died in January were from barangays Labangon, Lorega-San Miguel and Binaliw.

Last year, 11 casualties were recorded in the same period. Macasocol said they are concerned of the seemingly low decrease in trend.

“Kaniadtong Disyembre, duna lay 44 ka kaso apan sa miaging buwan sa Enero ang dengue cases misaka ngadto sa 113. Aw hinuon, daghan gihapon sa miaging tuig kay miabot man og 237 ka dengue cases,” Macasocol said.

Statistics show that two to three persons, mostly children, are afflicted with the dreaded virus everyday in the city. One in every 10 victims dies. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)