BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) reported that dengue fever in the region decreased by 74 percent for the first two months of this year after recording some 432 cases compared to the 1,643 cases during the same period last year.
Based on the report obtained from the DOH-CAR’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), the number of dengue-related deaths this year also dropped by 75 percent with only 1 death for the first two months of this year compared to the 4 deaths during the same reckoning period last year.
However, there were no clustering of dengue fever cases that were reported in the region following the significant decline of cases due to one of the deadly viral illnesses that has prevailed in the world.
Previously, dengue fever usually follows a cyclic trend but to date, dengue has become a year-round illness that poses a serious threat to the lives of people who are not immediately provided with immediate medical attention.
Dengue fever is caused by any of the 4 zero types of the dengue virus of which all strains are present in the Cordillera.
Experts disclosed that an infected day biting female aedes mosquito transmits the viral disease to humans and that such type of mosquito thrives in clear and stagnant water.
According to health officials, dengue fever cases are reported throughout the year but usually the number significantly increases during the rainy season that could reach widespread proportions if preventive measures of control are not immediately undertaken.
Among the dengue prevention and control measures include the search and destruction of the breeding ground of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes, embracing self-protection measures to prevent persons from being bitten by the dengue-carrying mosquitoes, seeking early consultations when suffering from two days of continuous fever and saying no to indiscriminate fogging in the neighborhood.
However, health officials claim dengue fever is curable, provided that, individuals infected with the dreaded illness will be given appropriate medical attention the earliest possible time considering that one of the serious negative effects of the illness is the significant decline in the blood platelets of dengue victims.
Aside from prolonged high fever, individuals suffering from dengue fever often have dark spots on their skin, an indication that the illness is in an advance stage that warrants immediate medical attention to prevent the untimely demise of patients.
Dengue is one of the dreaded illness under surveillance by health authorities in the different parts of the region as it is deadly once patients will not be provided with immediate medical attention or brought to the nearest medical health facility for the provision of appropriate health care.
By Dexter A. See