Dengue cases on the rise in Brunei due to rainy season

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - The Ministry of Health (MoH) has reminded the public to be wary of mosquito-borne diseases, especially during the current rainy season, as the reported number of dengue cases was on the rise in Brunei.

The MoH, in a statement released on Sunday, said that in 2012, a total of 290 cases of dengue fever were recorded while for this year, a total of 349 cases have been reported up to Oct. 12.

Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, chikungunya, filiriasis and Japanese encephalitis, the MoH said.

A similar increase has been reported in other countries in the region and it was found to be associated with a higher volume of rainfall that caused increasing occurrence of water stagnation where mosquitoes breed rapidly.

The public is advised to take on a number of preventative measures, including wiping out mosquito breeding sites and seeking medical treatment when showing any listed symptoms.

Mosquitoes are known to breed in pools of stagnant water in places such as flower vases, clogged drains, plastic bottles and used tires, among others.

Most of the dengue fever cases in Brunei Darussalam were reported in the Brunei-Muara District, with only a small number in the other districts.

source: interaksyon.com

Nationwide dengue cases up 3.89% - DOH

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday a 3.89 percent increase in the number of dengue cases nationwide from January 1 to June 2 this year, or a total of 32,193 cases compared to 30,989 during the same period last year.

The latest DOH Disease Surveillance on Dengue showed that most of the reported dengue cases were from the National Capital Region (NCR), with 7,670 or 23.8 percent; Region 3, 5,552 or 17.2 percent, and Region 4-A, 4,508 or 14 percent.

In NCR, the DOH report said at least six of the 17 local government units (LGUs) have reported an increase in dengue cases. These are Manila with 1,420 dengue cases as compared to 938 in 2011 (51.39 percent); Pateros, 78 compared to 58, (34.48 percent); Makati, 194 vs 149, (30.20 percent); Pasay, 251 vs 215, (16.74 percent); Paranaque, 519 vs 447, (16.11 percent); and Quezon City, 2,111 vs 2,109, (0.09 percent).

With this report, Dr. Irma Asuncion, DOH-National Center for Disease Prevention (NCDPC) director, warned the public to be wary in patronizing anti-mosquito repellent that is out in the market claiming as protection against dengue.

Asuncion said that the public should make sure that the anti-mosquito repellent they applied is legitimate or already been known effective as compared to new products claiming as protection from dengue.

"Our point is that if it is not effective, then it will give the family false sense of security that they are safe or protected from getting dengue and will not bother to have themselves check up right away, especially if they have fever," she pointed out.

Asuncion also encouraged the public not to hesitate to bring immediately any sick family member for medical consultation or those having fever within two days to check whether it is dengue or not.

The health official cited the need for close coordination at the barangay level or within the community in the campaign against dengue.

She added that it is also important to report right away any suspected dengue case, especially now that it is dengue season. Dengue usually peaks during the rainy season.

The DOH anti-dengue campaign is anchored on 4S which means: Search and destroy to eliminate all the possible breeding sites of the mosquito that carries the dengue virus; Self protection or measures to protect people from mosquito bites; Seek early treatment; and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

source: interaksyon.com

Dengue kills two children in Negros Oriental

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