DOH, CHO show conflicting data on dengue cases in city
The Department of Health (DOH)-6 and the City Health Office (CHO) showed conflicting data on the number of dengue cases in Iloilo City.
The number of dengue cases in Iloilo City posted in DOH-6 website is over by 300 cases compared to the data released by the CHO.
DOH-6 website posted that dengue cases in Iloilo City registered to 447 with 16 deaths or a total of 463 cases covering the period from January to July 11, 2009. The fatality rate for Iloilo City reached to 3.5 percent. Based on the DOH data Iloilo City has the most number of dengue cases in the whole Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, in the CHO report, there are only 100 dengue cases in the city. The figure covers the period from January to July 17, 2009. Of the 100 cases, only 14 were confirmed dead. CHO is still validating the report regarding the death of another victim at the Fil-Am Compound in Jaro district.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said they will check with the DOH-6 on how the said agency arrived with their figures. He did not elaborate more regarding the disparity between the figures from the DOH-6 and the CHO.
In a related development, Treñas said they are still confirming the report about the alleged 15th dengue death in Iloilo City.
Treñas reiterated that the city government is intensifying the campaign against dengue fever. He is calling for the concerted effort of the community in the move to eliminate the dengue-carrying mosquitoes. He also reiterated the danger of the disease to the victim. It is more dangerous compared to influenza A(H1N1).
The increase in dengue cases continue in spite of the “4S” campaign pushed by the city health office. The 4S refers to: search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes, self-protection by wearing proper clothing, seek early consultation and say no to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging is discouraged as it brings risks to individuals suffering from asthma.
The mayor stressed the importance of a continuous clean-up activities especially in dengue-stricken barangays in the city to eliminate the habitat of the mosquitoes. He recommended the emptying of containers and cleaning of drainage to kill the wrigglers.
The DOH-6 identified the barangays of Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo, San Juan, Molo and Veterans Village with the most number of dengue cases in Iloilo City.