BAGUIO CITY – The City Health Services Office (CHSO) reported that dengue cases in the city significantly increased by 646% last year compared to the recorded cases during the same period the previous year.
Kimberly Sibayan, medical surveillance officer of the city epidemiology and surveillance unit, said that the city had 9,688 dengue cases last year compared to the 1,299 cases during the previous year.
Further, dengue-related deaths also revealed a 533-percent increase with 19 deaths recorded last year compared to the only 3 deaths registered the previous year.
She claimed that the age range of the dengue afflicted individuals was 1-97 with a median of 23.
Sibayan added that of the 19 dengue-related deaths last year, 11 were males while 8 were females.
Among the top ten city barangays with reported dengue cases last year are Irisan, Bakakeng Central, Asin Road, Pacdal, Camp 7, Bakakeng Norte/Sur, Sto. Tomas Proper, Loakan Proper, San Luis village and Gibraltar.
Health authorities earlier declared that dengue is now a year-round illness and people should always observe the various measures that had been aggressively promoted to prevent acquiring the illness, like taking self-protection measures, seeking early consultation, saying no to fogging, staying hydrated, among others.
People were reminded to keep their residences and premises clean by getting rid of the breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, such as clear and stagnant water, to avoid the rapid increase in cases that might compromise their health condition.
Dengue fever often results to high fever aside from severe headache, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands and rashes.
Moreover, people having been infected with dengue for a second time increase their risk of serious symptoms which may be life threatening and should be immediately given appropriate medical attention. By Dexter A. See