CL Dengue cases down by 2%
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, — A slight decrease in the number of dengue cases in Central Luzon was reported by the Department of Health (DOH).
Based on the Dengue Surveillance Update from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, from 778 cases reported as of January 16, 2016, the number went down to 766 in the same period this year.
Among the seven provinces, Pampanga posted the most cases during the period with 237 followed by Bataan with 159; Nueva Ecija–144; Bulacan–96;Tarlac–55;Aurora–45;and Zambales–30.
The better news though, according to DOH, is that there were no recorded fatalities for the two reporting periods.
As the number of cases and deaths decrease, DOH constantly reminds the public to continue working towards the total eradication of the disease in the region by maintaining communities clean and free of mosquitoes.
“Fogging should only be used as a last resort to eradicate dengue. In the event that this method is used, we must ensure that the correct fogging cycle is followed because if not, instead of eliminating dengue, it will only worsen the case,” DOH Regional Epidemiologist Jessie Fantone warned.
The Health Department also continuously advocates the 4 o’ clock habit, which encourages everyone to stop at 4:00pm and search and destroy potential mosquito-breeding sites.
Aside from these reminders, Fantone also disclosed that the region is one of the pilot beneficiaries of the anti-dengue vaccine, alongside National Capital Region and CALABARZON.
“We were chosen as beneficiaries following the high number of dengue cases in 2015 which reached 35,694 cases,” Fantone furthered.
The administering of the dengue vaccine will be held in March, with Grade 4 public school students as initial beneficiaries.
Dengue is a disease caused by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquito.
These mosquitoes bite during daytime. Headache, fever, muscle and joint pains and skin rashes characterize the disease.
In extreme cases, bleeding of the gums and nose may occur. (PIA 3)