City has only 100 dengue cases, 15 deaths
City Mayor Jerry Treñas maintains Iloilo City has only 100 dengue cases and 15 confirmed deaths contrary to the report of the Department of Health (DoH) regional office which registered 447 cases and 16 confirmed deaths or 463 cases. The high figures from the health department put Iloilo City on the top list of local government units in Western Visayas with the most number of dengue cases and deaths.
Treñas said he was informed by Dr. Mae Delmo, head of the city’s dengue awareness program, that the regional health office included dengue patients who are not from Iloilo City in their report. Even if the victim is not from Iloilo City but brought to the hospital in the city, it is being counted for Iloilo City. This contributed on the increase on the number of dengue cases for Iloilo City.
He stressed the number of dengue deaths for the city is only 15 and not 16. The latest victim is a 12-year old from Fil-Am compound in Jaro. No other details were provided regarding the recent dengue fatality. The chief executive has also reminded the residents for a continuous clean up activities to destroy the breeding place of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
The search and destroy method is one of the measures included in the 4S strategy formulated to address the problems on dengue. The 4S also includes 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.
On the other hand, the DOH-6 also stood on their figures with 463 cases which include 16 deaths. The health department through Dr. Glen Alonsabe, regional epidemiologist, considered the dengue related deaths as alarming and recommended the local government to review their action plan on dengue. He stressed the importance of the community and school in the campaign against dengue.
Alonsabe recalled that during the time of former Iloilo Governor now 3rd District Congressman Arthur Defensor, they came up with a very effective action plan which called for the help of elementary students. They were given assignments to write down areas in their respective schools where they can see the presence of wrigglers.
The students submitted their assignments to their teacher. Immediately, the places where wrigglers were found were given attention. In two months time, the number of dengue cases was reduced, said Alonsabe.