Health exec: 6 more die of dengue in NCotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Six more patients died of dengue from August to September bringing to 16 the death toll of the dreaded disease this year in North Cotabato, a local health official said on Wednesday. Dr. Hansel Amoguis said health authorities in the province are still puzzled over the relentless onslaught of the mosquito-borne disease. He said five more patients have died as of the September 14 disease surveillance report, bringing to 16 the total number of patients succumbing to dengue this year. Early in August, Amoguis reported that 11 died of dengue from January to July this year. “Most of the fatalities were children and grownups who had weak immune system," Dr. Amoguis said. The deaths were recorded in the towns of Banisilan, Arakan, Libungan, Makilala, Pigcawayan, Tulunan and the city proper. In the province, Kidapawan City has the highest number of dengue cases with 1,032; followed by the towns of Makilala, 503; Mlang, 315; Midsayap, 283; Tulunan, 196; and Kabacan, 169 cases. From January to September 14, the number of patients diagnosed with dengue has already exceeded 3,809, Amoguis said, adding the rate of increase is alarming because the recorded cases in the whole of 2009 was only 1,608. Of the number, only one died in 2009, Amoguis said. — Williamor A. Magbanua/LBG/RSJ, GMAnews.TV