Up by 90 percent: Ifugao gov’t health office records 287 dengue cases

By Vency D. Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao --The Provincial Health Office here recorded a total of 287 cases of dengue suspects from Jan. 1 to June 30, this year   compared to 149  for the   same period last year.

But provincial Health officer Dr. Mary Jo Dulawan,   said   these were still considered suspected cases since victims just showed signs/symptoms of the said disease such as fever and rashes.

She added there was no death during the said period.  The recent victim, a 22 year old policeman assigned at the Lagawe police station, who died of the same symptoms of dengue falls in July.

           

Of the reported cases,  Lagawe registered the  highest number  at  98, followed by Lamut-51,  and Alfonso Lista-42.

The other municipalities had the following number of cases: Kiangan-22; Aguinaldo-21; Asipulo and Hingyon have 12 each; Hungduan-10; Banaue-5 and Mayoyao-4.

She attributed the high number of cases in the capital town to congested households, water system here wherein the public store their water supply in containers which is the favorite breeding places of dengue carrying mosquitoes and mobility of people.

           

“This is the capital town so people tend to come here and transact business whether personal or official,” Dulawan said.

           

She urged the public to clean their surroundings every day to get rid of tin cans and other materials where rain water  is  stored especially this rainy season.

Dengue is a viral disease which is common during rainy season and transmitted by a mosquito called Aedesaegypti and Aedesalbopictus.

           

Dulawan said the PHO conducted activities to eradicate the said disease.

These included advocacy on the simultaneous search and destroy activities of barangays and launching of the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue  in June 15, 2012.