Dengue claims 12 lives in Iloilo City - radio report

MANILA, Philippines - While public attention remains glued on the onslaught of Influenza A(H1N1), dengue fever continued to stalk Iloilo, claiming at least 12 lives so far this year. Radio dzBB's Iloilo affiliate reported Tuesday that Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said the latest fatality came from Calumpang in the city's Molo district. City Health Office records last week showed there were at least 86 cases of dengue in the city from January to June 2009, the report said. On Monday, Iloilo-based news site The News Today reported dengue has claimed at least nine lives and downed 82 people in Iloilo City from January to June 22. Treñas ordered all the heads of barangays to conduct clean-up activities particularly in villages where there are confirmed dengue cases. For his part, City Health Office head Dr. Urminico Baronda stressed that preventive measures must be practiced. Baronda recommended pro-active measures in eliminating the dengue cases in the city that mostly affect children. The dengue cases swell in the months of June until September. - GMANews.TV