DOH: Dengue cases up by 50% from last year

Some 40,000 new cases of dengue have been recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) in the first seven months of 2010, or an increase of almost 50% compared to the same period last year. Dengue cases nationwide have reached 40,648 from January to July 31, 2010, which is 48% higher than the 27,473 cases recorded during the same period last year, the DOH said in its surveillance report. Deaths caused by the disease likewise went up from 293 last year to 328 this year, the report further noted. The age groups most affected by the recent surge in the incidence of dengue were the 1-10 years old and 11-20 years old age brackets. Two more deaths in the groups of less than one year old and 1-10 years old were likewise recorded in the January-July 2010 period as compared to the same period last year. Majority of the cases came from Central Mindanao with 5,259, followed by Western Visayas (4,511), Eastern Visayas (4,086), Calabarzon (4,034), Southern Mindanao (3,875), Northern Mindanao (3,603), and the National Capital Region or NCR (3,452). There were slightly more male victims recorded than female victims, at 52%. Meanwhile, outbreaks were detected in the municipality of Gasan in Marinduque and Barangay Banica, Lawaan in Roxas City, Capiz, according to Health Sec. Enrique Ona. Hotspot areas, defined as a clustering of at least three cases with increasing number in the past four weeks, were barangays Minoyan, Murcia, Carabalan, Aguisan in Himamaylan City and Concepcion, Bubog in Negros Occidental; barangays Bata, Singcang, Banago, Tangub, Taculing, Pahanocoy, Felisa, Villamonte and Mansilingan in Bacolod City; and barangays Lanot, Malibili, Tiza, and Bolo in Roxas City. For the NCR, majority of the cases were from Quezon City with 754, followed by Manila (606), Kalookan (372), Navotas (227), and Valenzuela (221). The cities of Malabon (182), Mandaluyong (171), Marikina (165), Pasig (144), Pasay (126), Makati (119), and Parañaque (114) also recorded more than a hundred cases each. "The increase in dengue cases can be attributable to the El Niño phenomenon that the country is experiencing," said Ona. He added the number of cases may still increase with the onset of the rainy season. Ona explained that while dengue is a year-round disease, its incidence increases during spells of rainy days when breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is a carrier of dengue, likewise increase. The health chief urged the public to destroy possible breeding sites for mosquitoes such as discarded tires and tin cans. Water in flower vases should likewise be regularly replaced, while roof gutters should always be checked for accumulation of water. Mosquito nets and protective clothing can also be used to prevent mosquito bites. Fogging meanwhile will be done only in outbreak areas, Ona added.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV