BAGUIO CITY – Dengue fever cases in the region continue to increase with the Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) recording some 9,413 cases from January to October 9, 2016, compared to the 8,220 cases registered during the same period last year.
Dr. Julius Cesar Alcala, DOH-CAR head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said there were 20 deaths recorded during the period January to October 9, 2016, compared to 11 deaths registered during the same period last year.
He added the age range of those who were affected by the dreaded virus was from 1 month to 96 years with 53.5 percent or 5,032 males .
Benguet reported the highest increase in dengue cases with a 169-percent hike based on the 3,952 reported cases compared to the 1,467 cases during the reckoning period; Baguio City followed with a 136-percent increase from the 2,585 reported cases from January to October 9, 2016, compared to the 1,095 cases the previous year.
Ifugao recorded the third highest increase with 46 percent after it registered 908 cases compared to 622 dengue cases during the similar period last year.
On the other hand, Kalinga recorded the highest decrease in dengue cases with 69 percent after it was able to record only 640 cases this year compared to the 2,085 cases last year, followed by Abra that posted a 65-percent decline with 313 cases this year compared to the 888 cases during the similar period last year.
Dengue cases from non-CAR areas reported the third highest decline in dengue cases with a 59-percent drop with 269 reported cases this year compared to the 655 cases last year; Apayao posted a 50 percent drop with 384 cases this year compared to the 775 cases last year; while Mountain Province posted the lowest decrease at 43 percent with 362 cases this year compared to the 633 cases last year.
According to him, clustering of dengue fever cases were recorded in Apayao, specifically Caglayan, Nabuangan in Conner; San Gregorio in Luna; Alem, Poblacion, Suan in Pudtol; ABCR, Bakakeng Central, Cabinet Hill-Teachers Camp, Upper Dagsian, Dontogan, Engineer’s Hill, Fairview, Gabriela Silang, Irisan, Pacdal, San Luis, Sto. Tomas Proper and Trancoville in Baguio City; Daclan, Poblacion in Bokod; Poblacion in Itogon; Datakan, Labueg, Sagubo in Kapangan; Ambiong, Bahong, Balili, Cruz, Pico, Poblacion, Puguis, Shilan in La Trinidad; Cabiten, Palasaan, Poblacion in Mankayan, all in Benguet, Duit in Kiangan in Ifugao; Agbannawag, Bado Dangwa, Balawag, Bantay, Bulanao, Bulanao Norte, Cabaritan, Calaccad, Casigayan, Cudal, Daupan Cetro, Lacnog, Magnao, Malin-awa, Nambucayan, Naaneng, New Tanglag, in tabuk City in Kalinga; Poblacion in Paracelis; Ambasing, Poblacion in Sagada, both in Mountain Province.
He explained dengue fever is caused by any of the four serotypes of dengue virus which is transmitted by a day-biting female Aedes mosquito to humans.
Alcala called for continuous cooperation and coordination of all sectors to help in intensifying the campaign against dengue, chikungunya, zika and Japanese encephalitis.
By Dexter A. See
