Dengue claims 17 lives in Cordillera

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY -- Health authorities said 17 people died due to dengue in different parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region over the past eight and a half months, or almost double compared to the same period last year.

Karen Lonogan, senior health program officer of the Dept. of Health-CAR, said the region recorded a total of 6,203 dengue cases as of September 7, 16 percent higher than the number during the same period in 2018.

Lonogan added that Kalinga had the highest number of cases at 992; followed by Benguet, 913; Apayao, 951; Abra, 841; Baguio City, 568; Ifugao, 562; and Mountain Province, 614.

There were 762 cases from non-CAR areas.

Of the 17 deaths recorded, six were from Benguet, five from Baguio City, three from non-CAR areas, two from Mountain Province and one from Kalinga.

“What is good here is that the local government units in our region are now very active with regard to the control and prevention of dengue.

Their anti-dengue task forces in their barangay (villages) have been activated, which helps in the decrease in cases,” Lonogan said.

The DoH-CAR observed that majority of those affected by dengue were 20 years old and below, while 50 were aged 12 years and below.

The Health department cited the need to conduct the 4S against dengue: search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites; [employ] self-protection measures (wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and daily use of mosquito repellent); seek early consultation; and support fogging or spraying.

Health officials called on residents to ensure the cleanliness of their surroundings, saying dengue-carrying mosquitoes thrive in clear and stagnant water.