DOH: Dengue cases drop 52% during peak months, but...

Even with the 52-percent drop in dengue cases during the peak period (July and August), health authorities reminded the public over the weekend to continue taking precautions against the killer disease that has affected over 70,000 people so far this year. The Department of Health (DOH) said its records showed there have been 70,204 cases, 396 of them fatal, as of September 10. "Most of the cases came from the National Capital Region (15,427) Central Luzon (13,347), and Region IV-A or CALABARZON – Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon – (10,215). In the National Capital Region, most cases are from Quezon City (4,611), Manila City (1,944), Caloocan City (1,941), Valenzuela (1,090), and Pasig (838)," it said in a news release. Ages of cases ranged from less than a month to 92 years old. About 53 percent of reported cases were male. Some 41 percent belonged to the 1-10 years age group. The DOH said the number of cases was 25.87 percent lower than those recorded in the same period last year. 52% 'decline' The DOH said the number of cases in July and August – considered the peak months for dengue – was 52 percent lower than during the same period last year. Also, it said the 396 deaths reported so far this year is lower than last year’s number of 620. “The marked reduction in cases can be attributed to the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, especially local governments, who disseminated timely information to residents and spearheaded clean-up drives in their communities," Assistant Health Secretary Enrique Tayag said. But Tayag warned the public not to be complacent as dengue is year-round public health threat. He noted that dengue is a preventable disease and urged the public to continue maintaining clean surroundings by ensuring that all possible mosquito breeding sites are destroyed. Some of the common breeding sites of the Aedes Aegypti (dengue-carrying mosquito) are empty soft drink bottles, bamboo husks, old tires, and flower vases. To prevent complications and deaths, Tayag advised all suspect dengue cases to seek immediate medical consultation for proper case management. Some of the disease’s symptoms are high continuous fever lasting for two to seven days, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, body weakness, bleeding from nose and gums, and persistent red spots on the face, extremities and trunks. — LBG, GMA News