Dengue claims life of 11 year-old
The dreaded mosquito-borne disease dengue fever claimed the life of an 11-year old recently, the first recorded case of dengue fatality in the city with the entry of 2009.
Mayor Jerry Treñas again called for a continuing cleanliness drive in all barangays.
In yesterday’s, interview with the members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps, Treñas gave the media limited information on the personal details of the victim. It could not be ascertained whether the victim is a male or female as the medical record of the victim is held confidential.
However, the report on the victim’s death was confirmed by the City Health Office (CHO). Based on the CHO’s report, the victim spent vacation in Barangay Sinikway, Lapuz. The victim’s family sought medical help after the latter returned to their home in Imperial Subdivision.
Treñas said the new strain of virus brought by the mosquitoes is so intense that the victim died three days after seeking medical attention. It is a new strain that endangers the life of the victims bitten by mosquitoes, he said.
He added the victim got the sickness in Barangay Sinikway after some members of the the latter’s family also manifested signs and symptoms of the dreaded disease brought by the Aedis agypti mosquitoes.
The mayor immediately ordered the city’s barangay captains to initiate cleanliness drive. The best measure to counter the occurrence of the dengue cases is to make the surroundings clean, said Treñas.
Barangays, particularly those with dengue recorded cases, are encouraged to maintain clean surroundings to drive away the disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Dengue-carrying mosquitoes do not stay in clean and lighted areas. They breed on stagnant water like in flower vases, cans and rubber tires left unattended.