Report: Dengue claims 5 more lives in Cebu

Dengue claimed the lives of at least five more children in a town in Cebu province, even as local health officials there voiced "alarm" over the situation. Radio station dzBB reported Friday that the fatalities were recorded in Minglanilla town in Cebu, a first-class town in Metro Cebu with 77,268 residents in 14,739 households. It said the five children were aged 6 to 14 and came from the villages of Tulay, Poblacion and Pakigme. Health officer Dr. Arensenia Veloso described the situation as "alarming" but stressed there is no epidemic of dengue, at least for now. Veloso said there were 30 cases of dengue recorded from June 4 to 25 this year. The dengue cases included nine in Tungkop village alone. Other cases were recorded in Tulay, Poblacion and Pakigme. In Negros, health officials recorded 572 cases and four deaths so far this year, including 88 in Hinoba-an town alone. Provincial health officer Luisa Efren said fogging operations have been undertaken in some areas. She also asked for media assistance to encourage residents to clean their surroundings. - GMANews.TV