Dengue remained a major threat to several parts of the country even before the onset of the rainy season, with two preschool children in Negros Oriental among the latest fatalities.
The Department of Health in Negros Oriental also said the number of cases increased with the early onset of the rainy season, news site Visayan Daily Star reported Wednesday.
Provincial DOH head Dr. Socrates Villamor said that as of May 15, the total number of confirmed dengue cases in Negros Oriental had reached 235.
Villamor described the fatalities as a five-year-old girl from Sibulan town who died last January; and a three-year-old from Bacong, who died last week.
He also noted a 33-percent increase this year, compared to the 177 cases with no deaths in the same period last year.
Dumaguete City topped the list of local government units with the most number of dengue cases at 109; Bayawan City with 23; Tanjay, 19; Bais, 10; Bacong, nine; Sibulan, eight; Manjuyod and San Jose, seven cases each; and Dauin and Guihulngan, with six cases each.
The towns of Amlan, Vallehermoso, La Libertad and Jimalalud had no dengue cases reported for the same period, while the rest of the LGUs had five cases and below, Villamor said.
But he allayed fears of an epidemic, saying the increase was expected because of the rainy season.
Meanwhile, Villamor reminded the public to adopt the government’s 4S strategy in combating dengue – Search and Destroy breeding places of dengue mosquito vectors; Seek early consultation; adopt Self-Protection measures like the use of insect repellant lotion; and Say No to indiscriminate fogging.
Residents who manifest symptoms of high fever, rashes and nausea must consult a physician immediately. — LBG, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com