Dengue a threat despite soaring temps-DOH

MANILA, Philippines—Despite scorching temperatures in Metro Manila, disease-carrying mosquitos that breed in stagnant water remain a year-round threat, with health officials recording seven deaths due to dengue out of some 2,300 cases since the start of the year.

The figure is significantly lower than that recorded in the same period last year, but the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to keep the surroundings clean and eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

“Even during this very hot season, dengue-carrying mosquitoes are still very much present in our surroundings that is why we must continually conduct cleaning activities inside and outside our homes,” DOH-National Capital Region director Dr. Eduardo Janairo said on Friday.

Records from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of the DOH showed a total of 2,332 dengue cases recorded in Metro Manila hospitals from Jan. 1 to April 13. The figure is 61 percent lower than the cases recorded during the same period in 2012.

Most of these cases were monitored in Quezon City (452 cases), Manila (378 cases), Caloocan (260), Parañaque (150), Pasig (137), Pasay (131), Malabon (119) and Valenzuela (109).

Most of the patients were aged between 15 and 49 years old, and 54 percent of them were male.