Dengue kills 7, downs 348 others in Region 1

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Dengue fever has claimed the lives of seven people in Region 1 (Ilocos region) and afflicted 348 others as of Aug. 9, the regional epidemiology and surveillance unit based in San Fernando City said.

Dr. Cherry Pekas, regional infectious disease coordinator, said the 355 are considered probable dengue cases until they are confirmed as such by laboratory tests.

The breakdown of cases: 37 with one death in Ilocos Norte; 27 with two deaths in Ilocos Sur; 141 with one death in La Union; and 150 with three deaths in Pangasinan.

In 2004, there were 908 dengue cases with 11 deaths reported across the region.

With the present number of cases, Pekas said the situation is not alarming, but added that they are not letting their guard down because August is the peak month for dengue.

She said the number of dengue cases is still low based on the "epidemic threshold" and "alert threshold."

In 1998, Pangasinan accounted for the most number of dengue cases at 2,123 with 27 deaths. Until 2000, the number was significantly reduced, but in 2001, it surged to 1,222 with five deaths.