DOH records fewer dengue cases in September

(Updated 11:50 a.m.) After posing a major health threat for the past several months, the killer disease dengue may finally be on the decline in some areas of the country, including Manila. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo on Friday cited figures from Health Secretary Enrique Ona that there were only 2,000 cases recorded in September, compared to 7,000 in August. The report also said the government-run San Lazaro Hospital in Manila had only 200 dengue patients in September compared to 400 in August. Ona also noted the queues at dengue express lanes in the hospital were shorter in September compared to August. More hospital rooms for dengue cases were available in September than in August. However, he stressed this does not mean Filipinos can be less vigilant on dengue because there is still an outbreak of the disease in other parts of the country. Meanwhile, Ona and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo braved the rains in leading a cleanup drive in a dengue-prone area in Quezon City Friday. Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported that Ona and Robredo took part in the cleaning of canals in Culiat village. Members of the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, as well as local village officials, also joined the cleanup. The report said Culiat is one of the most dengue-prone areas in the city, accounting for 98 of the city's 2,435 cases from January 1 to September 24. Culiat also accounted for three of the 31 dengue-related deaths in the city so far this year. Earlier this week, health authorities in Cebu declared a dengue outbreak in at least six villages in Cebu City. Ona said Filipinos should remain wary of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, and keep their surroundings clean and dry to make sure these mosquitoes do not breed. –VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV