Red Cross: Dengue cases up 40% in first half of 2010

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has stepped up its campaign against dengue as it noted a 40-percent hike in dengue cases in the first half of 2010. Citing data from the Department of Health, the PRC said the number of cases in the first half of 2010 escalated to 25,283 or 40 percent more from the same period in 2009. "The rise in the number of dengue cases for the first half of 2010 is very alarming. Thus, PRC should double its efforts to prevent dengue," former senator and PRC chairman Richard Gordon said in an article on the PRC website. The PRC also noted the highest number of dengue cases this year were recorded in Region VIII (2,940), Region IV-A (2,751), Region XII (2,708) and Metro Manila (2,618). A total of 18,055 dengue cases were reported in the same period last year. PRC Bukidnon Chapter conducted cleanup drives and information dissemination about dengue in six barangays of Malaybalay City. The Provincial Health Office said dengue cases in Bukidnon have reached 517, with 15 reported deaths in the municipalities of Valencia City, Quezon, Dona Carlos and Malaybalay City. In Davao del Sur where a state of calamity was declared last July 8 due to dengue outbreak, the province’s PRC chapter held dengue prevention campaigns in Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz and Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City where 352 cases and nine deaths were recorded. (See: State of calamity declared in Davao Sur due to rising dengue cases) PRC Leyte Chapter also conducted initial information dissemination drive on dengue and various mass blood donations to assist patients in their blood needs. Its blood service facilities have served five patients. Blood donation The PRC also intensified its mass blood donation activities to ensure an adequate blood supply for dengue patients. As of July 20, PRC Davao del Sur Chapter has served four patients with 6 units of fresh frozen plasma. The chapter also strengthened its blood donor recruitment by conducting six mass blood donations from July 16 to 25. Davao City Red Cross, on the other hand, currently receives dengue fever patients referred from Davao del Sur to provide their platelet concentrate needs. Some 1,792 cases and six deaths were noted in Davao City, as of July 9. Mindanao Regional Blood Center also provided 476 units of platelet concentrates, 75 units of frozen plasma and 9 apheresis derive platelets. PRC Ilocos Norte Chapter’s blood service facilities, meanwhile, issued 19 units of platelet concentrate, as of July 19. The chapter also conducted a series of cleanup drives and disseminator’s training. Although not yet under a state of calamity, Solsona town in Ilocos Norte intensified its information dissemination program on dengue. "It is necessary that all PRC chapters nationwide strengthen their community-based dengue prevention program to create an increased awareness and to improve cleanliness among communities," Gordon said. Realizing the increased demand for blood during the dengue season, PRC also urged healthy volunteers to visit the nearest blood center and donate blood. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV