DOH notes 90% dengue increase in Central Visayas

The Department of Health (DOH) raised concerns over the drastic rise of dengue fever, traditionally associated with the rainy season, in Central Visayas during the summer months.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Resu) of DOH 7 noted an89.7 percent increase of dengue cases in Central Visayas in the period Jan. 1 to May 25, 2013. 6,314 cases were reported in that period compared to the 3,327 cases in the same period last year.

In terms of death however, there is a decrease with 19 lives lost to the mosquito-borne disease compared to 26 last year.

Like in previous years, Cebu City registered the highest number of dengue cases with 16.7 percent or 1,050 cases and three deaths so far. It is followed by Dumaguete City with 8.2 percent; Lapu-Lapu City with 5.6 percent; Carcar and Talisay cities with 3.8 percent each.

Of this list, only Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental is not in Cebu.

Most of those who are affected are  6 to 10 years old. The youngest recorded was 2 days old and the oldest was 86 years old.

RESU-7 chief Rennan Cimafranca said that the rapid increase of dengue cases may point to the general failure of communities in preventing the spread of dengue carrying mosquitos.

“Dengue cases have increased because people do not clean their houses and their environment. They do not follow the ‘four S’ of dengue prevention,” Cimafranca said.

The four S stands for Search and destroy; Seek early treatment; Self-protection measures; and Say NO to indiscriminate fogging.

The DOH is calling on Local Government Units (LGU’s) to intensify the information campaign on dengue emphasizing the importance of eliminating the breeding places of mosquitoes and to mobilize the community to actively participate in environmental sanitation activities.

Since the rainy season is expected to come this week or in the first week of June, DOH advices the public to clean all possible mosquito breeding places such as flower vases, dish drains, old tires, roof gutters and used cans where water can accumulate.

Using personal protective measures such as mosquito nets, use of insect repellant lotions and installing window screens has also been suggested.

Cimafranca is urging the public to maintain the habit of cleaning up their surroundings and homes.

Ma. Ligaya Moneva, Health Education and Promotion Officer II of the DOH said that dengue occurs in all seasons. Mosquitoes carrying dengue does not only dwell in dirty stagnant waters, but they dwell in clean and clear stagnant waters.

They not only inhabit in water, but may also stays be found in clothes, that is why, Moneva is warning against dumping of clothes in damp areas or hanging clothes in dark areas since mosquitoes thrive in damp and dark places.

“As much as possible, fold your clothes, arrange it well and put it inside your aparador in order to avoid mosquito build-up,” Moneva said.

“Practice cleanliness at home and in your environment,” Moneva added.