Dengue cases in Caraga region up 159% — report

BUTUAN CITY – The number of dengue cases in the Caraga Region has increased by 159 percent, with 2,001 infections so far compared to the 648 in the same period last year, a report from the Health department’s regional office. Department of Health (DOH)-Caraga regional information officer Nurse Sunshine Alipayo said the report only includes infections recorded in hospitals. She feared several cases have remained unreported as some of those infected refuse to get treatment from hospitals due to financial constraints. DOH record only reflects reports from different hospitals in the region, monitored by Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, she said. Of the 2,001 dengue cases, eight people have been reported dead. The report said deaths were recorded in Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte province (with one); Surigao City, two; Bayugan City, one; Magallanes in Agusan del Norte, one; San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, one; Del Carmen in Siargao Islands in Surigao del Norte, one; and Malimono in Surigao del Norte, one. Butuan City topped the list of dengue cases with 668; Agusan del Sur province, 400; Surigao del Norte, 209; Bislig City, 162; Surigao City, 152; Agusan del Norte province, 135; Surigao del Sur province, 134; Bayugan City, 69; Cabadbaran City, 33; Province of Dinagat Island, 24; and Tandag City in Surigao del Sur, 15 cases. Alipayo said majority of those infected were men, 52 percent, and 42 percent of those affected were from one-month-old to the 10-year-old age group. The record covers the period from January to September 9, 2010. DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Leonida Gorgolon said heightened education and information drive has been undertaken to help the public fight dengue. She said this year’s record of dengue infections in Caraga is the worst so far. "[But] on a nationwide scale, Caraga is among the regions having relatively few cases of dengue infections," Gorgolon said. — Ben Serrano/LBG, GMANews.TV