Fewer dengue cases this year

CEBU, Philippines -  A report by the Lapu-Lapu City health department has shown that there is a decrease in dengue cases this year as compared to last year.

 From January to May this year, only 50 dengue cases were registered compared to last year's 144.

 So far, no casualty has been recorded this year.

 Last year ,7 deaths were registered.

 Health officials have advised the public to maintain environmental sanitation by covering water drums and pails and to replace water in flower vases regularly.

 The Department of Health has warned that with the onset of the rainy season, dengue outbreaks would likely occur in affected areas, particularly in low-lying areas where children are mostly victims.

 In Cebu City, the City Health Department is advising residents to keep their surroundings clean and implement measures to prevent the dengue mosquitoes from breeding.

 Durinda Macasucol, assistant city epidemiologist, issued the appeal after announcing a 112-percent rise in dengue cases in the city from January to May this year when compared to the dengue cases over the same period last year.

 Macasucol said she expected the increase in dengue cases to continue with the start of the rainy season.

Macasucol said the health department is intensifying anti-dengue campaigns such as mist spraying, fogging operations, and declogging of canals where mosquitoes are expected to breed. — THE FREEMAN