FIGHTING DENGUE. Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy checks the newly-opened hydration facility for dengue patients located at the Calbayog City Sports Center on Aug. 5, 2024. Cases of dengue fever have been rising in Eastern Visayas, with 11,624 persons infected and 23 deaths as of the first week of September, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday (Sept. 17, 2024). (Photo courtesy of Calbayog City government)
TACLOBAN CITY – Cases of dengue fever have been rising in Eastern Visayas, with 11,624 persons infected and 23 deaths as of the first week of September, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday.
This is 316 percent higher than the 2,796 cases logged during the same period in 2023 with only nine deaths, according to the DOH's latest update.
Leyte province recorded the highest number of cases this year with 3,596; Samar with 2,998; Southern Leyte with 1,861; Eastern Samar with 898; Northern Samar with 618; Biliran with 231; Ormoc City with 870; and Tacloban City with 552.
DOH-Eastern Visayas information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said a state of calamity has already been declared in four cities and five towns in the region due to the alarming rise of mosquito-borne disease.
These are Maasin City in Southern Leyte; Ormoc City, Kananga, Bato, and Isabel in Leyte; Catbalogan City, Calbayog City, Paranas, and Gandara in Samar.
The declaration will allow local government units to use their quick response fund for dengue response.
Although overall cases this year are high, Malibago said there was a drop in cases in the last week of August compared to the first week of September.
“For the morbidity week 36 (first week of September), we have recorded 817 new cases. This is 38 percent lower than the 1,230 cases logged in morbidity week 35 (last week of August),” Malibago said in a phone interview.
"With this situation, we are calling on the public and all local government units to implement measures to prevent rising cases and deaths due to dengue," she added.
Earlier, the DOH urged hospitals to reactivate fast lanes for suspected dengue patients to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.
It also reminded the public to carry out dengue prevention through the "5S" strategy, especially since the rainy season has started.
The 5S includes search and destroy, self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, saying yes to fogging, and starting and sustaining hydration.
Those with dengue warning signs such as abdominal pain, bleeding, frequent vomiting, lethargy, or restlessness are asked to seek early consultation.
Dengue fever is marked by the onset of a sudden high fever, a severe headache, and pain behind the eyes, muscles, and joints.
Some may develop rashes and varying degrees of bleeding in different parts of the body.
The DOH asked local chief executives to regularly organize cleanup campaigns focusing on destroying mosquito-breeding places in their areas. (PNA)
