More cases but fewer deaths than in 2008

CEBU, Philippines - The total number of dengue cases in Cebu City from January to November 7 has reached 1,778 or 61 percent higher than the 1,096 cases in the same period last year.

Still, last year was reportedly worse with 51 deaths. Thirty five persons died of dengue this year with 108 dengue cases reported to the city health department just last week.

Durinda Macasocol, assistant chief of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit, explained that while statistics showed more dengue cases this year, it is also possible that there were cases not placed on record last year because the dengue victims did not consult a doctor.

Statistics would show that two persons die for every 100 reported dengue cases. Records further show that most of those affected by the virus are males, age five months to 78 years old.

The latest casualty is a 10-year-old boy from barangay Inayawan who died at the Saint Vincent Hospital last November 7, three days after he was brought there by his parents.

In Alcoy, a four-year old girl also died of dengue in barangay Daanlungsod, while more than a dozen others are hospitalized, prompting municipal health officer Max Cang to declare a dengue outbreak in the town.

Cebu provincial health officer Cristina Gianggo confirmed the rising dengue cases in Alcoy, but said she is yet to receive an official report from Cang.

In Cebu City, the health officials are now implementing the so-called “impregnation of curtains and mosquito nets” by soaking them into a basin of water laced with chemicals. Mist spraying will also be conducted in different barangays three times a week.

Macasocol said it has been proven that chemicals will kill old mosquitoes.

To implement the “impregnation of curtains and mosquito nets,” health personnel will go to the barangays and will ask the residents to have their clean curtains and mosquito nets soaked with the needed chemicals.

“Kadtong mga lamok nga anha mobatog ug motugpa sa mga kurtina sigurado g’yod nga mamatay,” Macasocol said.

Those that succumbed to death due to dengue came from barangays Camputhaw, 3, Labangon, 3; two each from Guadalupe, Tisa, Lorega-San Miguel, Caretta, Apas and Mambaling; and one each from barangays Bacayan, Talamban, Basak-San Nicolas, Lahug, Luz, Punta Princesa, Inayawan, Pardo, Banilad, Day-as, Mabolo, Buhisan, Sudlon II and Binaliw. — Rene U. Borromeo and Darrel Carumba of Banat News/JMO (THE FREEMAN)