Lesser dengue cases this year than 2010

CEBU, Philippines - The Integrated Provincial Health Office of Cebu said there were lesser dengue cases and dengue-related deaths from January to yesterday this year compared to the whole of last year.

IPHO records show there were 3,150 dengue cases for the whole of last year compared to only 788 dengue cases of January 1, 2011 until yesterday.

There were also only four dengue-related deaths as of January 1, 2011 until yesterday compared to 33 dengue-related deaths last year.

IPHO chief, Dr. Cristina Giango attributed the decrease in cases and deaths to their information drive efforts.

“Tungod na sa awareness sa mga parents na karon to seek early consultation, or if basta naa na’y gamay symptoms, muadto dayon sa clinic or barangay health center,” Giango said.

Last year, Minglanilla town topped the number of cases having 288, followed by San Fernando with 238 cases, and then by Naga City with 206 cases.

This year, Danao City, which was fifth in the list last year, topped the number of cases with 136, followed by Talisay City which was seventh last year, and then by Minglanilla.

The towns of Santa Fe and Boljoon, which were among the list of 49 municipalities and cities with dengue-related cases last year, were not in this year’s list. The towns of Alcoy, Alegria, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Poro and Tudela each have only one case of dengue.

Giango said they are always doing a year-round information drive through their rural health centers in each city and municipality.

“Sige og suroy-suroy sa kada-baranggay para i-inform ang mga tawo to be vigilant about dengue,” she said.

The IPHO chief said they also prevent future dengue cases through misting wherein chemicals called delmethrin are sprayed. This chemical can kill mosquitoes, particularly its larvae. - (THE FREEMAN)