Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

SOurce: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/me...ths-lower-year

Metro Manila
DOH: Dengue deaths lower this year

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/03/2009 12:50 PM

The Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday that has been a significant drop in the number of cases during the first five months of 2009.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said 62 people have died due to dengue from January to May 9 this year. He said the number is 57.4 percent lower compared to the 163 dengue deaths recorded during the same period of 2008.

Duque said that as of May 9, there are already 6,537 cases of dengue recorded nationwide. He said the number is also lower compared to the same period of last year.

The health secretary said Manila has the highest number of dengue cases with 284 followed by Quezon City with 179 cases. Third on the list of most number of dengue cases is Navotas followed by Caloocan.

The DOH has intensified further its dengue awareness campaign weeks before the opening of classes in the elementary level on June 1.

On Wednesday, Duque led health officials in a dengue inspection on Zaragosa Street in Manila. He reminded its residents to rid their street of breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The health secretary had said that dengue is more dangerous than the dreaded influenza A(H1N1) virus.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p090605.htm&no=A1

Duque says dengue deadlier than A/H1N1

by Lyndon Plantilla

Quezon City (5 June) -- Influenza A (H1N1) cases maybe rising, but there are other deadlier diseases that people should look out for, the Department of Health warned Friday.

At the Friday Balitaan sa Rembrandt, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said Dengue fever has killed 57 in country while A/H1N1 has none.

The A/H1N1 strain that struck the Philippines is a milder form compared to the strains in Mexico and other affected countries.

Confirmed A/H1N1 cases may have reached 33 with the addition of 4 new cases as of June 5.

But according to Duque, that number is minimal as compared to the 6,537 cases of Dengue that DOH has recorded since January.

Duque explained that the changing climate has shortened the incubation period of the dengue virus: from 12 days, it was cut down to seven.

The dengue virus carrying mosquitos have become hyper-active; even small ones are biting already.

As far as Dengue fever is concerned, Duque said DOH is keeping an eye on the National Capital Region particularly in CAMANAVA, Cebu, Davao and Dagupan where most cases are coming from.

Aside from A/H1N1 and Dengue, Duque said the public should also watch out for typhoid fever, cholera and amoebiasis which people can get from contaminated food and drinking water.

Another killer is leptospirosis which targets the liver.

Leptospirosis can be obtained from prolonged immersion in flood waters contaminated by urine from infected rats.

Microbes causing Leptospirosis enter the wounds and other openings in the legs.

Duque is expecting that the number of A/H1N1 cases will rise in coming days because of the on-going contact tracing as well as undisturbed international travel.

One of the 4 new confirmed cases is another student of the De La Salle University (DLSU), a 17 year-old male, who has no history of travel.

He manifested mild acute febrile respiratory symptoms on June 2 and consulted a doctor on June 3 heeding the DLSU officials? advice to its students when it suspended all its classes in Taft.

He is presently confined in a health facility and recovering well.

"The three DLSU cases are responding well to their treatments and do not even have fever anymore, including the latest case. Contact tracing though is still in progress," Duque said.

Duque reiterated that DLSU is the only school that is on a voluntary ten-day suspension due to A (H1N1) at the moment.

No other school has approached the Department of Health (DOH) with the same predicament and plan.

The three other cases all have a history of travel: all came from the United States and one of them is a 29 year-old female foreigner.

She arrived on June 1 and developed fever and cough shortly thereafter.

The rest are siblings, a 9 and a 7 year-old, both females, who arrived in the country on June 3.

They became ill on June 1 and were screened on arrival and were subsequently brought to a health facility by the Bureau of Quarantine.

All three are recovering from their illness in health facilities.

As far as the first positive case at the Asian Development Bank, Duque assured the public that the DOH is closely coordinating with bank.

ADB has issued its own guidelines to prevent the spread of A (H1N1) among its employees and has been updating the Department on the condition of the positive case.

Twelve contacts have been traced who have mild respiratory symptoms and are now awaiting laboratory results.

"We stress that only those who will qualify as CUOs including close contacts of confirmed cases will be tested and will receive treatment for free," Duque said.

Duque explained that with the heightened awareness of the public on the novel influenza virus, more people are getting anxious to get themselves tested. "Government needs to implement a clear protocol that prioritizes the treatment and management of A(H1N1) cases, particularly people at high risk," Duque said.

At present DOH includes the following high risk individuals as priority: 1) those who have flu-like symptoms and have recently traveled from affected countries; and 2) symptomatic individuals who were known close contacts of confirmed cases.

Since May 1, 2009, the DOH has monitored a total of 450 CUOs. Of these, 33 are positive A(H1N1) cases, 76 have pending laboratory results, and 341 are negative for A(H1N1) and have been discarded.

There are 36 new Cases Under Observation (CUOs) as of June 5.

In their latest report dated June 3, the World Health Organization reported 19,273 cases and 117 deaths from 66 reporting countries. (PIA) [top]

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertain...zed-due-dengue

Kris' two kids hospitalized due to dengue
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/07/2009 7:33 PM

MANILA - The two children of television host-actress Kris Aquino have tested positive for dengue fever.

Aquino announced on ?The Buzz? Sunday that Joshua and baby James are now confined at the Makati Medical Center where their conditions are being closely monitored.

According to the Web site of the Department of Health, dengue is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever. The transmitter of the disease is a day-biting mosquito, which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water.

?We had a fountain in the house so pinatanggal ko na ?yong fountain? they were in that area 10 days ago. I was not there kasi nagta-taping ako,? she said.

She added: ?Our next test is on Tuesday. Today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday) ang critical talaga.?

Joshua is Aquino?s son from a previous relationship. In 2007, Aquino gave birth to baby James, her first son by husband basketball player James Yap.
as of 06/07/2009 7:39 PM

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=...0612.htm&no=03

Feature: Dengue fever cases rising in number annually

By Rebecca C. Espera

Davao City (12 June) -- Dengue fever still has the most number of cases and has increased this year,registering about 30% more cases than last year's occurrence, this according to Head of the Department of Health Davao Preventive Emergency Management Unit and Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, Dr. Rogelio Pe?era.

Each year the dengue fever is growing in number of rate, and this has still no solution so far. "Marami tayong cases pero mas mataas ang kanyang (dengue fever) mortality rate", said Dr. Pe?era.

Majority of those in the hospitals are dengue fever cases, and it is the primary reasons of the Department of Health (DOH) why it is purposely conducting a regular monitoring by way of gathering figures and data of dengue cases in all hospitals weekly.

Every Tuesdays of the week, the hospitals are about to submit their reports for the weekly surveillance update of the DOH in able to consolidate the data and the DOH will send the submitted reports to manila by every Fridays of the week. (PIA-XI) [top]

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...-life-in-Zambo

Dengue claims another life in Zambo

By Julie Alipala
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 17:35:00 06/20/2009

Filed Under: Health, Diseases

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines?The mosquito-borne dengue virus has killed another victim, bringing to five the number of patients that have succumbed to it here since January this year, the city health office said Saturday.

Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, city health officer, did not say when exactly the latest victim died but added that it only proved the point that dengue was deadlier than the dreaded A H1N1 virus.

"From four in May, the death toll has increased to five (in June). Dengue is more dangerous compared to A H1N1 and for the past two weeks alone, we have already registered a total of 38 cases and it's still increasing every day," Agbulos said.

The Western Mindanao health office said the rising number of dengue cases here has put the city on top of their list of areas affected by the mosquito-borne disease.

Dr. Aristedes Tan, Western Mindanao Health director, said out of the 527 dengue cases in the region, which is composed of the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, 499 cases were recorded in the city.

"We've exhausted all efforts in reaching out to our people and how to convince them about seeking early health services," Tan said.

He blamed the erratic weather for the rising number of dengue cases in the region.

Agbulos said they were continuing with their anti-dengue campaign and repeatedly calling on the people to maintain clean surroundings.

He said residents should also help deprive mosquitoes of breeding grounds, including stagnant water in old tires, bottles, cans and other containers

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=...0622.htm&no=17

2009/06/22

Dengue cases, up to 14% higher than last year

Tuguegarao City (22 June) -- Officials of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 2 does not only focus on Influenza A(H1N1) after receiving the report that dengue cases got higher as compared to last year.

Dr. Lydia Depra-Ramos, Regional Director, disclosed that from January to June of the current year, there are already 395 dengue cases in the region, a 14 percent higher as compared to last year.

Ramos said this is the season of dengue that's why are expecting more cases to be reported, however, she assured that they are on alert to take actions on these cases.

"We are paying attention to dengue cases because its getting higher, equally as we are also paying Attention to the A(H1N1) virus," Ramos said.

Ramos encouraged all hospitals to put in place their dengue express lane to avoid infection with other patients inside the hospital.

In line with this, Ramos also encouraged everyone to donate blood voluntarily because majority of the patients that need blood units from the blood are dengue victims.

"Blood donation help much our dengue patients that's why we are holding series of blood donation activities in different areas to respond to the needs of the dengue patients and others," Ramos added.

Ramos also advised the people to keep surroundings clean and dry, do proper healthy lifestyle, and keep body resistance to fight against any diseases. (Ver/PIA 2) [top]

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2009/06....casualty.html

Dengue claims 7th casualty
By Maricar M. Calubiran

Another child succumbed to Dengue fever bringing the total number of casualties of the mosquito-borne disease here in Iloilo City to seven since the start of the year.

The recent casualty is four-year old Paul Sote-ar of Zone 8, Calumpang, Molo who died a day after he was admitted at Iloilo Saint Paul's Hospital.

The boy was brought to the hospital Friday last week but died the following day. It was not immediately known on whether the victim manifested symptoms of dengue before he was brought to the hospital for medication.

The boy's family was stunned over his sudden demise. It was not immediately known on whether there are other residents in the barangay who experienced symptoms of Dengue.

Barangay officials conducted a clean-up in Zone 8 after the news on Sote-ar?s death broke. During the clean-up, they found an old tire near the victim?s house.

A barangay official said they found mosquitoes and wrigglers inside the old tire. They suspect the victim was bitten by a dengue carrying mosquito coming from the old tire. Old tires and containers are favorable breeding places of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Two months ago, Mayor Jerry Tre?as has called for the participation of the punong barangays in the campaign against dengue. He was alarmed by the rising number of dengue cases in the city.

Punong barangays were asked to initiate clean up operations particularly in barangays where there are cases of dengue. The cleanliness of the surrounding is an important weapon in the drive against dengue.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.visayandailystar.com/2009.../topstory3.htm

Dengue cases down
58% in Neg. Occ.
BY CARLA GOMEZ

There were 165 dengue cases in Negros Occidental from January to May 30 this year, or 58 percent below the 406 during the same period last year, Dr. Luisa Efren, provincial health officer, said yesterday.

She said one dengue fatality was reported this year, compared to four in the same period in 2008.

However, Efren stressed the need to remain vigilant against dengue, pointing out that it is more dangerous than Influenza A(H1N1). If you look at the mode of transmission you can get dengue through the bite of infected mosquitoes that can be everywhere.

On the other hand, H1N1 can be acquired through droplet infection from an infected person whom you can avoid, she said.

Of the 165 dengue cases this year Talisay and Bago cities had the highest at 27 each, Silay City ? 24, Sagay City ? 16, Valladolid ? 9, Victorias and Escalante cities ? 7 each, San Carlos and Cadiz cities ? 6 each, EB Magalona and Kabankalan City ? 5 each, Binalbagan and Himamaylan City ? 4 each;

Cauayan, Manapla and Murcia ? 3 each, Ilog and Pulupandan ? 2 each, and Calatrava, Candoni, Hinigaran, Isabela and San Enrique ? 1 each.

All local governments have been asked to conduct the Four S campaign in their areas: search and destroy mosquito breeding places, safe protection measures, seek early consultation and treatment and say no to indiscriminate fogging, Efren said.*CPG

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...e3_june26_2009

Dengue cases dip in Para?aque City

The Para?aque City health office has reported a drop in dengue cases due to a drive largely based on prevention over treatment.

Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. has ordered precautionary measures to combat the disease that becomes pronounced in the wet months as sections of communities are waterlogged.

?Dengue is still a serious threat to health especially during the rainy season and must never be underestimated that is why we are continuously stepping up our efforts to protect our constituents from this deadly infection,? he said.

Dr. Darius Sebastian, in his epidemiology surveillance report to Bernabe, noted a decrease of 412 cases covering January to June in 2008 against only 158 cases for the same period this year.

He said the campaign?s efficiency was due to the combined efforts of doctors, nurses, sanitation officers and barangay health workers, who oriented residents on the 4S in dengue prevention: search and destroy mosquito breeding places, self-protection measures (use of jogging pants, pajamas, mosquito nets, insect repellant lotions), seeking immediate medical help; and saying ?NO? to indiscriminate fogging.

While the Solid Waste and Environmental Sanitation Office cleared canals and other waterways, sanitation officers applied larvicides on stagnant waters in vacant lots and abandoned structures along with village officers and residents cutting grass in their surroundings.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx...CategoryId=200

Dengue outbreak declared in Isabela
By Charlie Lagasca Updated June 28, 2009 02:46 PM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines ? A dengue outbreak was declared in Isabela?s Santiago City amid rising cases of persons afflicted with the dreaded disease since January his year, including three recent deaths, including a grade schooler in a neighboring town.

Likewise, classes had been suspended in a private elementary school for three days over the week in the city?s adjacent Ramon town, also in Isabela following fears of possible spread of dengue among schoolchildren in the said southwestern town.

Santiago City?s dengue outbreak declaration came after 181 cases of dengue had been reported there from January to June with at least two deaths, both girls, recently.

Of this, 67 cases have been reported this month alone while at least 30 cases were monitored last May, with Health officials expressing alarm that cases may increase with the onset of the rainy season.

Health officials said the number of reported cases in the city were remarkably higher than in the same period last year, prompting the declaration of a dengue epidemic throughout the city.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/ceb...rts-stepped-up

Anti-dengue efforts stepped up
By Marian Z. Codilla
Cebu Daily News First Posted 09:14:00 06/29/2009 Filed Under: Dengue

Approaching the halfway mark of the year, Cebu City has recorded 381 cases of dengue with 10 deaths.

Taking this as a sign that the dengue virus is still more of a threat to the lives of Cebuanos than the Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, the Cebu City government has solicited the help of a private company in the information drive against dengue.

The Cebu City government has been distributing stickers produced by eTelecare Global Solutions. These stickers, which disseminate anti-dengue information, have been distributed to the city?s barangays.

With the onset of the rainy season, the city government has also started cleanup drives with the help of barangay health workers and several non-government organizations.

Public consultations and information drives have also been conducted in private companies and public schools.

Barangay health centers have also stepped up surveillance of dengue cases for early detection of the disease.

Also, City Hall personnel have sprayed anti-mosquito mist in a 50-meter radius around the homes of recent dengue cases.

The latest half-year figures for dengue were noted to be 41 percent lower than last year. In 2008, there were 655 cases with 29 deaths recorded from January to June.

Mayor Tomas Osme?a earlier said that the city's goal is to have ?zero cases? of dengue.

Osme?a has asked the Mayor?s Management Team to conduct barangay sharing workshops for different barangay officials and discuss measures aimed to deter the propagation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Apart from preventive measures, City Hall is also conducting reactive measures.

The city government has again launched its ?Type Kita? program, which aims to catalog the blood type of the city?s residents.

The blood type catalog would enable easier coordination in case any dengue-infected person needs a transfusion.

The Cebu City Medical Center also offers free medicines, laboratory examinations and hospitalization to dengue patients.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2009/06...ue.deaths.html

The News Today
Updated June 29, 2009 Iloilo City, Philippines

Iloilo City records nine dengue deaths
By Maricar M. Calubiran

While the government is focusing on the spread of A(H1N1) influenza, the dreaded dengue virus has already claimed the lives of nine people and affected 82 persons here in Iloilo City. The 82 cases were recorded from January to June 22 this year. In 2008, there were no recorded deaths in the first five months of the year.

Ironically, the city government declared the month of June as Dengue Awareness Month yet dengue cases continue to increase. The rising number of dengue cases has alarmed Mayor Jerry Tre?as. As such, he has ordered all the punong barangays to conduct clean up activities particularly in barangays where there are confirmed dengue cases. Cleanliness in every barangay is the most effective weapon in eliminating the spread of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

On his part, City Health Office head Dr. Urminico Baronda concurred that preventive measures must be practiced. He recommended pro-active measures in eliminating the dengue cases in the city that mostly affect children. The dengue cases swell in the months of June until September.

Most of the dengue cases were recorded during the onset of the rainy season. Stagnant water and dark places are the favorable places for the dengue carrying mosquitoes to procreate. Emptying of containers and cleaning of drainage are highly recommended to kill the wrigglers. The health office recommends the use of larvicidal in large open areas with water to kill the wrigglers. The fogging operations for four consecutive weeks in areas considered as dengue hotspots is only suggested if necessary.

The health office came up with a campaign strategy dubbed as ?4S? in order to address the increasing number of dengue cases in the city. The 4S are search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes, self-protection by wearing proper clothing, seek early consultation and say no to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging is discouraged as it brings risks to individuals suffering from asthma, said Baronda.

The CHO is likewise conducting a massive campaign against the spread of dengue. The information campaign relative to the dengue awareness month aims to inform and educate the public in protecting themselves from the dengue infection. The consolidated effort from the health educators, barangay officials, school officials and media will ensure the proper and effective dengue campaign plan.

The information drive is being led by Dr. Mae Delmo. She serves as the city health office dengue coordinator and designed the action plan and recommendations to eliminate the upsurge of dengue cases. One of her recommendations is a continuous surveillance of dengue cases.

Delmo said the surveillance will be conducted by barangay health workers (BHWs), sanitary inspectors, midwives or nurses in-charge of the barangay. The participation of barangay kagawads particularly those assigned in the health committee is necessary. The conduct of surveillance is a must in the monitoring of areas with dengue cases.

The mobilization of designated barangay personnel for continuous dengue prevention initiatives is called for. The health office is closely coordinating with the Association of Barangay Captains in the implementation of the dengue campaign plan. Along with the punong barangays, the assistance of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office was tapped for the environmental management and cleanliness aspect, said Delmo.

The prompt reporting of confirmed dengue cases is also proposed by Delmo. The report coming from the barangay will be validated by medical officer-in-charge of each district and for purposes of hospital reporting. Moreover, they also encouraged the schools to introduce dengue prevention in the science class. Children of school age will have an idea about dengue as well as its prevention when taught in school.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://davaotoday.com/2009/06/29/den...mber-annually/


Dengue fever cases rising in number annually
Published: June 29, 2009

DAVAO CITY ? Cases of dengue fever registered a rise of 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

Dr. Rogelio Pe?era, head of the Department of Health (DOH) Davao Preventive Emergency Management Unit and Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit said that the increase has been an annual trend ever sine, a problem that has still no solution so far. ?Marami tayong cases pero mas mataas ang kanyang mortality rate (We have a lot of cases (diseases) but it (dengue fever) has the higher mortality rate)?, said Dr. Pe?era.

Majority of those in the hospitals are dengue fever cases. DOH has a regular monitoring system, gathering figures and data of dengue cases in all hospitals weekly.

Every Tuesday, selected hospitals submit their weekly surveillane reportsto the DOH. The DOH then consolidates this data and send reports to Manila every Friday. (PIA-XI)

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2009/06....reach.11.html

Updated June 30, 2009 Iloilo City, Philippines
Dengue deaths reach 11

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) has recorded two more additional dengue deaths.

As of yesterday morning, the figure increased from nine to 11 deaths which prompted the chief executive to call for a meeting with the members of the dengue coordinators in order to stop more dengue deaths.

Mayor Jerry Tre?as said he is set to meet with the dengue coordinators as he is greatly troubled with continuing increase of dengue fatalities here. There is a need to work double time, the mayor added, though dengue cases are ?still manageable.?

?There should be no more dengue deaths in the city", Mayor Trenas said.

The mayor said the meeting is called for not because those involve in the campaign are not doing their part. The meeting will strengthen the action plan to stop the occurrence of more dengue deaths or victims. The fight against dengue needs the participation of all sectors. The business sector, church and school must help in the campaign against the spread of dengue.

He will meet with Dr. Mae Delmo, dengue coordinator of the city health office, sanitary inspectors, barangay health workers, Association of Barangay Captains, City Environment and Natural Resources Office among others to come up with a realistic and functional approach in the drive against dengue fever.

Earlier, the city health office has already designed an action plan dubbed ?4S? in order to address the increasing number of dengue cases in the city. The 4S are search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes, self-protection by wearing proper clothing, seek early consultation and say no to indiscriminate fogging.

Fogging is discouraged as it brings risks to individuals suffering from asthma while the CHO recommends the use of larvicidal in large open areas with water to kill the wrigglers of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The fogging operations for four consecutive weeks in areas considered as dengue hotspots is only suggested if necessary.

Most of the dengue cases were recorded during the onset of the rainy season. Stagnant water and dark places are the favorable places for the dengue carrying mosquitoes to procreate. Emptying of containers and cleaning of drainage are highly recommended to kill the wrigglers.

The city government has already embarked with different advocacies from barangay to barangay information campaign to media advocacy about the dreaded dengue. The city mayor has also called for the participation of the 180 punong barangays in the dengue campaign by conducting clean up activities particularly in barangays where there are confirmed dengue cases. However, the number of dengue cases continues to increase when compared in 2008.

The mayor said one of the factors that contributed on the increase in the number of cases is the early onset of rains. In the statistics of the health office, dengue cases swell in the months of June until September.

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Re: Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo...0701.htm&no=25

Dengue cases in Antique rise with one death

by PS Mabaquiao

San Jose, Antique (1 July) -- The Antique Provincial Health Office reported that dengue cases in the province continue to rise with 28 from January to June and one death. Twenty one of these cases were recorded for the month of June.

Sporadic rainshowers in the afternoon and sunny day is a condition conducive for dengue mosquitoes to thrive especially in unattended surroundings, so we urged everyone to be vigilant in keeping their vicinity and indoors clean and free of mosquito breeding places, said Mildred Quilino, Information Officer, Provincial Health Office.

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever is whole year round health problem with cases rising during rainy season and affect all age groups. This disease (transmitted by Aedes, a day-biting mosquito) is preventable but is prevalent in urban centers where population density is high, water supply is inadequate (resulting to water storage and a good breeding place for the vector), and solid waste collection and storing are also inadequate.

Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

Signs and Symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days, joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae, nosebleeding when fever starts to subside, abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee-colored matter and dark-colored stools.

The Department of Health encourage everyone to do the folowing prevention and control strategies: cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, replace water in flower vases once a week, clean all water containers once a week and scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides. Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes, old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water, collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.

The local health authorities call on the local government units, communities and families to double their efforts in conducting search and destroy operations of mosquito breeding places to ensure elimination of Aedes Aegypti. (PIA) [top]