Batanes dengue cases rise to 175

TUGUEGARAO CITY — Dengue patients in Batanes have risen to 175, prompting health officials to intensify monitoring and to initiate a massive fumigation and clean-up drive in the island-province.

Most of dengue cases were recorded in the towns of Itbayat and Sabtang. Health officials said 86 new cases were reported in the last three weeks.

One of these patients was a two-year-old Itbayat boy who died before he could be flown to the Batanes Provincial Hospital in capital, Basco town, last week where many Itbayat patients were brought for further treatment.

Dr. Rio Magpantay, Cagayan Valley health director, said the last dengue cases in Batanes were recorded in 2013. The province is located at the uppermost tip of Luzon and is nearer Taiwan than to the mainland of Cagayan Valley.

Last week, 120 dengue patients were transported via boat from Itbayat and Sabtang for treatment at the Batanes Provincial Hospital in Basco town, while 82 patients were airlifted by the Coast Guard.

Blood supplies were also airlifted there from Metro Manila toreplenish Batanes stock. VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.