By Dexter
A. See
BAGUIO CITY – The
Cordillera office of the Dept. of Health (DOH-CAR) reported that dengue fever
cases in the region nearly doubled during the first forty weeks of this year
compared to the same period last year.
From January 1 to
October 6, 2018, the agency was able to record some 5,921 dengue fever cases
regionwide compared to the 2,999 cases that were recorded during the same
period last year.
The DOH-CAR recorded 11
dengue-related deaths in the region wherein 8 were from the Cordillera and 3
came from non-CAR provinces during the said period compared to the 9
dengue-related deaths during the similar period last year. Of the 8 deaths from
the region, 2 each came from Abra, Benguet and Baguio City while 1 each came
from Ifugao and Kalinga.The cases were from Kalinga – 1,139 or 19.2 percent,
Benguet – 1,025 cases or 17.3 percent, Apayao – 887 cases or 15 percent, Abra –
829 cases or 14 percent, Ifugao – 568 cases or 9.6 percent, Baguio City – 418
cases or 7 percent, Mountain Province – 224 cases or 3.8 percent and non-CAR
provinces – 831 or 14 percent.
Based on data obtained
from the agency, more males reportedly were affected by dengue fever during the
reckoning period with 3,161 or 53.4 percent of the total number of affected
individuals regionwide with an age range from 4 days to 96 years old with a
median of 16 years old.
Geeny Anne I. Austria,
Nurse V, of the DOH-CAR’s regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, claimed
that there were laboratory confirmed dengue virus serotype per province and
municipality from 2014 to date.
She said clustering of
dengue fever cases was noted in all Cordillera provinces during the reckoning
period.
Dengue fever is caused
by any of four serotypes of dengue virus wherein all strains are reportedly
present in the region.
Austria said an infected
day biting female aides mosquito transmits the dengue viruses to humans wherein
the number of dengue cases could peak during the rainy season and could even
reach widespread proportions if preventive measures of control are not taken.
According to her, dengue
fever prevention and control could be achieved once residents will follow the
4-s against dengue, particularly search and destroy the breeding grounds of
dengue- carrying mosquitoes, self-protection measures, seek early consultation
and say no to indiscriminate fogging.
he DOH-CAR official
reminded the public to continue maintaining cleanliness inside and outside
their houses to prevent the possible multiplication of the dengue carrying
mosquitoes that might compromise the lives of innocent individuals who are
unaware of the serious negative effects of dengue fever once it will not be
given the proper medication by health experts who known the diagnosis of the
said viral infection that tends to affect the health of people.
Previously, dengue was
in a cyclical trend but because of climate change, it became a year-round
illness among Filipinos.
Mangagaw or tawa-tawa is the best herbal plant to cure dengue patient. Its scientific name is Euphorbia Hirta. Several cases have been cured already because this plant has the ability to increase platelet count at the highest level. Using this medicinal plant is one of the natural ways to increase platelet counts which is best in treating dengue illness. Also another known herbal cure for dengue is the flower of the male papaya. It is said that its effect is next to mangagaw and it is often practiced in oriental countries.
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