Clustering of dengue cases observed in 19 areas

A clustering of dengue cases was observed in 19 areas across the country, prompting the Department of Health (DOH) to ask their local government and barangay leaders to intensify their campaign against the mosquito-borne disease.

According to Edna Lopez, a nurse at the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center (NEC), the breeding sites of mosquitoes in these places must be eliminated soon to prevent an outbreak of dengue.

"Community leaders must mobilize residents to get rid of old tires, tin cans and other (receptacles) where mosquitoes can breed," she said.

Mosquitoes can also thrive breed in roof gutters, flower vases, and open water containers. Health experts warned that a bottle crown could even hold three mosquito larvae.

The 19 areas were identified as Malaya and Tambakan in Maypajo, Gen. Tirona in Bagong Barrio, Pechayan in Camarin and Phase 3 in Bagong Silang, all in Kalookan City; Letre Road in Malabon; Boungavilla and Sauyo in Novaliches, Quezon City; Everlasting street in San Roque, F. Pascual in San Jose and S. Roldan in Tangos, all in Navotas; F. Varona in Tondo, Antipolo and Geronimo streets in Sampaloc, and Dagupan exit in Tondo, all in Manila; Lambakin in Marilao, Bayugo in Meycauayan, Pabahay 2000 in Sapang Palay, all in Bulacan; and Luyos in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.

Clustering means that each of these places recorded more than three dengue cases during a four-week observation period.

From Jan. 1 to June 16, the NEC recorded a total of 5,002 dengue cases, or 51 percent lower than the number of cases during the same period last year.

Metro Manila accounted for 1,738 cases, followed by Central Luzon with 752, Central Visayas with 582, and Southern Mindanao with 492.

According to the NEC, cases in Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon have reached the "epidemic threshold level" although they were "sporadically" distributed.

"There is no outbreak. It just means that the number of cases has exceeded the number of cases in the previous five years. But there is nothing to be alarmed of because the cases are sporadic. There is no concentration of dengue cases," Lopez said.

Now that the rainy season has come, she said dengue awareness programs must be intensified in communities.

Dengue is spread by Aedes aegypti, a day-biting mosquito species that thrives in clean but stagnant water.