15T dengue cases in CV; Cebu has most deaths

CEBU, Philippines — Dengue cases in Central Visayas have reached 15,394 with 35 deaths—the highest is from Cebu Province, from January to August this year.

Based on the surveillance report from the Department of Health (DOH)-7, Cebu Province logged the highest number of deaths in the region this year, reaching 14 from January 1 to August 17. In total, Cebu province logged 4,592 dengue cases.

On the other hand, Bohol has the highest number of dengue cases with a total number of 5,165 cases and 11 deaths.

In Negros Oriental, a total of 2,695 dengue cases were recorded with six deaths, while Siquijor has no recorded deaths but has 637 cases.

Highly urbanized cities in Cebu, such as the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu have also recorded dengue cases.

Cebu City, as reported, has 1,363 cases with three deaths logged. Mandaue City has recorded one death due to dengue with 437 patients.

For Lapu-Lapu City, there are no recorded deaths but there are 504 dengue cases recorded.

Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal explained that dengue cases have different classifications.

“In surveillance, we have what we call suspect cases, probable cases and confirmed cases in dengue,” said Dr. Cañalin in a press conference via Zoom.

According to their recent data, there are 8,839 cases or 38 percent that fall under the confirmed classification of dengue in the region.

Under the classification of probable cases, the region has 5,105 or 33 percent, while there are already 4,450 cases or 29 percent of suspected cases.

A suspected case in dengue, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a person who lives in or has traveled in the previous 14 days to areas with dengue transmission, and presents with acute fever that has typically lasted 2 to 7 days.

Further, two or more of the following clinical manifestations include nausea or vomiting, widespread rash, headache or retro-orbital pain, muscle and joint pains, petechiae or positive tourniquet test, leukopenia, with or without any warning sign or sign of severity.

Meanwhile, a probable case is a suspected case of dengue that also has detection of IgM in a single serum sample which is collected during the acute or convalescent phase or Epidemiological link to a confirmed case.

A confirmed case, meanwhile, is a suspected case of dengue that also has detection of viral RNA by RT-PCR or the viral protein NS1 by ELISA, or demonstrated presence of the virus by viral isolation or 4-fold increase in DENV-specific antibody titer value in which samples collected at least 14 days apart.

But regardless of the classification, Dr. Cañal stressed that the public should be cautious and do self-care as preventive measures, like boosting one's immunity, as well as have safety measures in place in communities like ensuring the cleanliness of surroundings. — (FREEMAN)