DOH: Dengue cases could reach 80,000 by yearend

The Department of Health (DOH) fears that there could be 80,000 dengue cases by the end of 2010, as the number of patients continues to go up. As of August 14 this year, 54,659 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide. From this figure, 2,966 cases were recorded in the first two weeks of August alone. A record number of 17,470 dengue cases were reported in July 2010, more than double the number of cases in July of the previous year. DOH National Epidemiology Center (NEC) Chief Dr. Eric Tayag said August is the peak month for dengue but the number of cases is expected to keep rising in the first two weeks of September. "Sa mga susunod na linggo, asahan natin na medyo mataas pa. Ibig sabihin niyan, kung nakaraang July lampas 17,000 ang na-report, baka malampasan ito kung mananatiling Agosto ang peak month ng dengue (Expect the number of dengue cases to go up in the following weeks. The number of cases this month may even exceed the 17,000 recorded cases in July)," he said.
The DOH earlier said trends have changed and dengue is no longer a rainy season disease. Dengue cases are now expected even when the rainy months, June to August, are over. Tayag said one of the reasons why dengue trends have changed is because of the recent El Niño weather phenomenon, which caused dengue-carrying mosquitoes to mutate. "Naobserbahan yung mga lamok, lalung naging mas mabilis yung kanilang pangangagat sapagkat naging mas maliit daw sila (It was observed that dengue-carrying mosquitoes now bite faster because they have become smaller)," he said. The NEC chief also said the recent water shortage, which forced people to store water in containers in their homes, contributed to the increase in mosquitoes. Dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, whether it is clean or dirty. He explained that there are currently four dengue strains so it is possible for a patient to get dengue more than once. Tayag reminds the public to follow DOH's "DENGUE" reminders:

• Daily monitoring of the patient (check if the patient is vomiting, has rashes, or has difficulty urinating;
• Encourage oral fluids or oral glucose electrolyte solution (an oral solution of 1 liter water, 8 teaspoons (tsp) of sugar and 1 tsp salt will also do);
• Note any symptoms of dengue (nose-bleeding, muscle pain, vomiting, fatigue)
• Give paracetamol, not aspirin;
• Use mosquito nets or screens; and
• Early consultation is advised