1,740 Infected by dengue, 4 deaths

THE Department of Health (DOH) has expressed alarm on the rising number of dengue cases in Eastern Visayas, with 1,740 infected and four deaths as of first semester of 2013, surpassing last year’s record.

Health authorities expect that number of cases will surge in the region in the next weeks due to rainy season.

Infection of the mosquito-borne viral disease has been reported in 118 of the region’s 143 cities and municipalities, but the DOH said there has been no dengue outbreak anywhere in the region.

Between February and early June 2013, dengue has killed four children in Ormoc City, Maasin City, Tacloban City and Biri, Northern Samar.

Boyd Roderick Cerro, DOH regional sentinel nurse, said that of the 1,740 patients admitted in hospitals, 968 were in Leyte, 288 in Northern Samar, 204 in Eastern Samar, 186 in Samar, 60 in Southern Leyte, and 34 in Biliran.

“For the first six months of 2013, there is a 401.48 percent increase of cases compared to the same period last year. It is anticipated that the number of infected will increase in the next weeks based on the trend of cases for the past five years,” Cerro said.

The mosquito-borne virus had the worst effect in Tacloban City with 492 cases, accounting 28.3 percent of the regional total.

Other areas with high number of infections are Guiuan, Eastern Samar (89 cases); Catarman, Northern Samar (76 cases); Ormoc City (76 cases); Laoang, Northern Samar (71); Cabalogan City (48); Calbayog City (42 cases); Palompon, Leyte (37 cases); Alangalang, Leyte (35 cases) and Palo, Leyte (33 cases).

Although majority of those afflicted are under the age range of 5 to 14 years old, the disease has downed one month old babies and those more than 80 years old.

Cerro said rainy season will contribute in the increase of cases as this will give more breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Dengue is endemic in our region but number of cases normally increases during rainy season. We are worried that if we will not be able to control mosquito population, more people suffer from this disease,” he added.

From 2008 to mid 2013, the disease has already claimed 137 lives in Eastern Visayas and afflicted 18,554 residents.

The 1,740 dengue cases from January to June have already surpassed the 1,723 infections recorded in the entire year of 2012. At least 11 people died from the disease last year.

The DOH has called on local health units to reinforce information drive to emphasize the importance of destruction of mosquito breeding places and early consultation. Local officials were told to organize dengue brigades in areas with high incidence.