Report: Dengue up 224% in W. Visayas

Dengue cases went up by 224 percent in Western Visayas so far this year compared to the same period in 2006. Online news site Visayan Daily Star reported Wednesday that the regional dengue coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH) disclosed the information at an anti-dengue rally in Bacolod City. "We should not be alarmed but we should continue to destroy breeding places of mosquitoes since every three to five years, cases of dengue increase and 2007 happens to fall on the fifth year," Dr Fabian Mabasa said after the event. Citing records from his office, he said there were 55 dengue-related deaths recorded so far this year compared to 13 last year. Mabasa said dengue has affected the whole of Asia, adding that the fight against dengue was the responsibility not only of the government but of everybody. About 5,000 residents, including schoolchildren, joined the rally against dengue at the Capitol Lagoon, Lupit Church and the City Health Office in Bacolod City. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he is happy that the public elementary and high school students in Bacolod came in full force with slogans bearing information on dengue prevention and control during the rally against dengue. "Considering that this is the rainy season, we should not put our guard down in our fight against the deadly virus," he said. Mabasa said that morena or dark complexioned people as well as those wearing dark-colored clothes are more prone to mosquito bites. Dr Jovy Vergara, assistant city health officer, said that as of August 5, dengue cases in Bacolod city reached 1,699 with 11 deaths. Board member Dr Melvin Ybañez, Negros Occidental Dengue task force chief, said the provincial government has requested the Department of Health to allow the putting up of two additional blood banks. One would be set up in Kabankalan and another in Cadiz City, he said, due to the upsurge of dengue cases in Negros. - GMANews.TV