Dengue cases lower this year but no reason to be complacent, says health official

Dr. Eric Tayag of Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center. LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines – While the cases of dengue are lower compared to last year’s record, Dr. Eric Tayag of Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center said on Thursday that it was not a reason to be complacent.

In an interview over 990AM, Tayag lauded the Quezon City government for launching the barangay (village) dengue brigade as early as May. This campaign addresses the dengue incidents in the country.

Tayag urged the other villages in the country to do the same.

As of July 23, Tayag said there were 38,876 reported cases of dengue, which is 25.8% lower compared to last year’s record in the same period, with 52,428 cases.

Tayag also said that there were 226 deaths from dengue, half of the record this time last year.

He said that the hotspots in the country include: Sto Domingo in Ilocos Sur, La Trinidad in Benguet, and Mabini in Pangasinan. Meanwhile, the villages of Fairview, Pansol and Payatas also have reported high cases of dengue.

August is usually the peak for dengue cases, Tayag said.

He also said that Health Secretary Enrique Ona hoped to have a dengue-free country by 2020.

“By 2014, we may avail of a vaccine against dengue and maybe we have enough time to reach this goal,” Tayag said.