Dengue cases rise but deaths drop: DOH 6
Cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Western Visayas have increased from January to June this year, based on the Department of Health-Center for Health Development records, the Philippine News Agency reported.
The number of deaths, however, dropped.
DOH 6 records show that during the first six months of 2010, more than 2,000 cases of dengue have been reported by the 29 sentinel sites and local health offices.
Of the more than 2,000 cases, 15 deaths were reported. For the same period last year, only more than 1,000 cases were monitored, although the deaths were higher, at 21.
Dr. Glen Alonsabe, DOH 6 regional epidemiologist, said the increase cases of dengue, however, is also due to the increase in the number of sentinel sites which enable them monitor cases faster.
He reiterated the health department’s campaign for environmental sanitation by getting rid of containers with clear and stagnant water where the Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of dengue, lays eggs.
