Dengue claims two lives in Palawan

Dengue claimed at least two more lives in Palawan province Thursday, after a seven-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man succumbed to the disease. Radio dzBB reported Friday morning that doctors in Puerto Princesa City identified the victims as Jessa Ilustrisimo, 7, of San Jose village, and Raffy Ocopio, 18, of Matahimik village. The two were among the 71 cases recorded in Palawan so far this year. The report said at least 20 patients were brought to the hospital Thursday alone. At least 11 more patients are confined in hospitals in other areas in the province, the report added. Despite the deaths, the provincial government has not yet declared a dengue outbreak or advisory, the dzBB report said. Health authorities have intensified anti-dengue measures by promoting cleanliness in surroundings to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding. - GMANews.TV