DAGUPAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) has assured the readiness of hospitals in the Ilocos Region to accommodate dengue patients with the reestablishment of fast lanes following the 14.9 percent annual jump in cases as of Aug. 17, 2024.
DOH data show that as of August 17, dengue cases in the region reached 4,255, up from the 3,702 in the same period in 2023.
In a phone interview Thursday, DOH Ilocos Region medical officer Dr. Rheuel Bobis said the central office issued a memorandum in August, directing hospitals and healthcare facilities to implement measures to help dengue patients.
"Ready na po sila. Naglabas po tayo ng memo para mag-reestablish ng exclusive dengue fast lane and rooms (They are ready. We have issued a memorandum to reestablish exclusive dengue fast lanes and rooms)," he said.
To date, Pangasinan logged the most cases at 2,186. It was followed by La Union, 970; Ilocos Sur, 791; and Ilocos Norte, 308.
There have been 17 deaths so far this year, lower than the 20 in the same period in 2023. Of the total, 15 are from Pangasinan and one each from Ilocos Norte and La Union.
Bobis said the Provincial Health Offices, Municipal Health Offices and Regional Health Units have been issued anti-vector borne diseases commodities such as sprayer, misting machine, and insecticide to help address the rising number of cases.
DOH continues to advocate the 4S - - search and destroy mosquito-breeding sites, seek early consultation, self-protection measures, and support spraying or fogging in areas with clustered cases - - to prevent dengue cases.
Lower leptospirosis cases
Meanwhile, leptospirosis cases in the region as of August 17 this year slipped by 47.7 percent to 90 from 172 in the same period last year.
Pangasinan recorded 36; La Union, 35 ; Ilocos Sur, 12; and Ilocos Norte, seven.
There are 11 deaths due to leptospirosis this year against the 31 in the same period last year. Of the total, six are from La Union, two each in Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur, and one in Ilocos Norte.
"There was an allocation of doxycycline in the Provincial Health Offices and Municipal Health Offices, and information education campaigns on prevention and proper post exposure prophylaxis are being implemented," Bobis said. (PNA)
