DOH: Dengue cases up in Cordillera; 2,383 afflicted

Public urged: Search, destroy mosquito breeding sites

By Carlito Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Health noted an alarming rise in dengue cases in the Cordillera as it urged the public to practice search and destroy campaign against mosquito breeding sites.

DOH Cordillera regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, in a recent media forum, reported 2,383 dengue cases from January to August 8, which is 103 percent increase compared to the recorded cases during the same period last year.

Based on the DOH Surveillance Report, increase in cases was noted in all the six provinces in the region, including Baguio City.

In terms of most number of cases, Benguet recorded the highest with 544, followed by Baguio City with 332, Mountain Province (314), Abra (289), Kalinga (276), Apayao (252) and Abra with 85. There were also 291 dengue patients from outside the region that were recorded treated in Cordillera hospitals.

Three dengue- related deaths were also recorded in Cordillera-  an 85 year old male from San Jose, Luna, Apayao, a seven year old from Rosario, La Union and an 89 year old male from Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

Pangilinan reminds local government units, barangay officials and the general public  of the “Search and Destroy” advocacy against dengue which involves getting rid or cleaning all  possible mosquito breeding sites in the communities.

Pangilinan said she just came from Kalinga  where there was saturation of Dengue patients in the provincial hospital. But one good news was one municipality, Pinukpuk,  had no reported dengue case as the LGU and the community  initiated anti-dengue campaign as early as of February of this year.

‘Dengue usually peaks during the rainy season but if we ensure to implement search and destroy campaigns such as the operation “taob” and the 4’O Clock Habit against Dengue, we can minimize, if not totally eradicate the threat”, Pangilinan said.