DENGUE ALERT
466 cases, 2 deaths in WV: Dengue warning out anew

By Florence F. Hibionada

Health and public officials are calling anew for precautionary measures against the resurgence of mosquito-borne Dengue disease.

This, after Western Visayas has recorded thus far, 466 cases with two deaths in a six-month period covering the period of January to June this year. While not yet in epidemic or outbreak proportion, Health Department's Dr. Fabian Mabasa said it is best to move for its prevention.

Interviewed over Bombo Radyo, Mabasa referred to the figures as "normal" particularly with the onset of rainy season and the effects brought by unsanitary conditions. As such, the Health Department calls on the community to strengthen its clean-up efforts so as to eliminate breeding grounds for the Dengue carriers, Aedis egypti . And seek immediate medical help at the earliest time possible, Dr. Mabasa added, with flu-like symptoms associated to Dengue.

Highest in Dengue cases as reported and validated by the Department of Health (DOH) is the Province of Negros Occidental with 126 followed by Bacolod City with 109. Iloilo Province has 33 alongside Cadiz City with the same reported and treated cases while Talisay City has 26 and Victorias 24. The figures are expected to increase weekly with more Dengue incidents monitored in both government and private hospitals. The two Dengue fatalities came from Antique and Capiz however no further information was readily available.

In Iloilo City, Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao treated 21 Dengue cases with the most recent confinement coming from two Mandurriao residents, one from Lapaz District and one from the Municipality of Pavia.

Iloilo Mission Hospital had two recent admissions and another two at the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) while Iloilo St. Paul's Hospital had one reported Dengue case.

City Councilor Erwin Plagata, chairman of the Committee on Health, echoed the DOH call saying the best defense still is cleanliness and the community could easily work its Dengue-defense.

"I reiterate my appeal to our barangay folks to take extra precautions this rainy season. Let us protect our children and the entire family from Dengue as we know that records and statistics would show the many lives it has taken. And seek help so proper medical attention will be given," Plagata, a physician by profession said when reached by The News Today .

In the Province, similar sentiments from Board Member-Physician, Macario Napulan (First District).

"We do not want the figures to rise so let us all heed the Health Department's call. Dengue is most dangerous once shock sets in the patient. The figures may not be as alarming compared to our experience in the past years but certainly, we do not want to see anew how our people panicked, our hospitals full with Dengue-related confinements," Board Member Napulan said in a TNT interview. "And seek medical attention once your patient have high-grade fever, persistent for 3 to 5 days. Have the blood checked."

Napulan also added the need for information to a community with Dengue cases. Residents must be told, he said of Dengue-affliction in their place, so extra precaution may be employed and the area cleared or quarantined. Dengue mosquitos has a morning to early afternoon biting pattern and while possible to hit practically on a year-round period, is known to have its highest effect during rainy season.

"Day to day, we all have to be conscious of Dengue and move to eliminate its breeding gounds,"Napulan ended.