Dengue cases down 58%

From Jan. 1 to July 15, the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 4,243 dengue cases, a 58 percent decrease from the number registered during the same period in 2003.

DOH epidemiologist Dr. Troy Gepte said the decrease could be attributed to the efforts of the DOH and local government units to eliminate the possible breeding sites of aedes agypti, or mosquitoes that transmit dengue.

"It also seems that the public has become vigilant in cleaning their surroundings. They helped in getting rid of these breeding sites," he said in an interview.

The aedes agypti is a low-flying species that can spread dengue within a flight range of 50 meters.

DOH records showed that from Jan. 1 to July 15, a total of 4,243 dengue patients were brought to its sentinel hospitals nationwide. During the same period last year, the number of admissions was 6,703.

Gepte said they have observed that clean-up efforts this year started early and this contributed a lot to the government’s anti-dengue program.

He cited the Quezon City government, which had a massive information campaign to raise awareness on dengue.

Records showed that of the 4,243 patients, 40 died. Metro Manila accounts for 961 of the dengue cases, followed by Southern Mindanao with 609 cases, Northern Mindanao with 410 cases and Central Visayas with 383 cases.

Gepte said the DOH intends to boost prevention efforts in these regions to prevent a repeat of high dengue incidence there.

"The declining trend should not make us complacent. We always have to be vigilant to prevent illness and deaths from dengue," he added.

Dengue is characterized by fever for three to five days, intense headaches, body malaise, appetite loss and rashes.

It could become fatal when hemorrhagic fever or massive bleeding sets in.