Dengue cases nationwide nearly double from 2009

More than 62,000 dengue cases have been reported in the country in the first eight months of the year, nearly double from the same period last year. But the Department of Health said the number is expected to go down in the coming months. At a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said his department believes the country has reached the "peak" of dengue cases based on figures from previous years showing the number going down after August. "We are at the peak, or maybe going down from the peak of incidence of dengue," Ona said. The 62,503 cases recorded from January to August 21 is 88 percent higher than last year's 33,102 for the same period, said Ona, although he noted that the higher figure may be due to the government's improved capability to monitor cases from increased sentinel sites nationwide. Ona said 465 deaths were recorded so far this year compared to the 350 deaths recorded in 2009 over the same period, or a 33 percent increase. The DOH said the most affected age group is 1 to 10 years old, although cases range from 1 month to 95 years old. Most of the affected, or 52 percent, were male. The most affected region is Western Visayas, with 16.1 percent of dengue cases coming from the region; according to department data, outbreaks have been detected in Roxas City in Capiz and Iloilo City in the Visayas, as well as in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. In the National Capital Region, most of the cases were reported from Quezon City. "The increase in dengue cases can be attributed to the presence of four different strains of the dengue virus circulating in the country today, plus the fact that the country is experiencing the El Niño phenomenon," said Ona. He noted, however, that the 2010 fatality figures take up only less than 1 percent of the reported dengue cases, compared to the 2 percent fatality rate of dengue 10 years ago. Ona said the DOH has instructed local officials down to the barangay level to intensify their campaign to inform the public about dengue symptoms and what can be done to avoid the disease. "We are on top of it. The administration, the DOH is fully aware of what is going on and lahat po ng tulong na kinakailangan ay binibigay natin sa ating mga kababayan (We give assistance to those who need it)," said the health chief. Ona said the DOH has teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology to study ways to combat dengue, such as developing vaccines against all four dengue strains and investigating whether the tawa-tawa plant actually has curative properties against dengue as claimed by some. The DOH chief said continued intake of hot tea derived from the plant can be done, but it should not be used as medicine and those affected with dengue should get proper medical treatment. He noted that there have also been studies in Asia, wherein many countries are hounded by dengue problems because of the tropical climate, about the possible genetic modification of the Aedes mosquito that will render them less active in biting victims. For now, Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH's National Epidemiology Center advised the public to prevent dengue and treat mild cases in their own homes by keeping in mind the following guidelines: D - Daily monitoring of patient's status; E - Encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices; N - Note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding; G - Give paracetamol, not aspirin because aspirin induces bleeding; U - Use mosquito nets; E - Early consultation is advised for any warning signs. — RSJ/KBK/HGS, GMANews.TV