Philippines: Dengue cases 2009

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/143107/1...ngue-in-Iloilo

11-year-old succumbs to dengue in Iloilo
01/08/2009 | 05:23 AM

MANILA, Philippines - An 11-year-old child from Iloilo City had succumbed to dengue – the first fatality of the disease for 2009, an online news site reported.

The News Today said that the incident has prompted city mayor Jerry Treñas to call again for a continuing cleanliness drive in all villages.

According to the report, Treñas has ordered to withhold the victim's identity.

A report by the city health office showed the victim had a vacation in Sinikway village in the city's Lapuz district.

The victim's family sought medical help after the victim returned to their home in Imperial Subdivision.

On the other hand, some relatives of the child also showed symptoms of the dreaded disease.

Treñas ordered the city's village chiefs to initiate cleanliness drives, and ensure residents keep their surroundings dry and clean to drive away dengue-carrying mosquitoes.- GMANews.TV

[Shiloh]

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/ceb...ses-down-by-40

Cebu City dengue cases down by 40% (in 2008)
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 09:01:00 01/08/2009

Filed Under: Dengue

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Dengue cases in Cebu City went down to 1,260 or by 40.65 percent last year compared to the 2,123 cases recorded in 2007, the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit (CESSU) said yesterday.

In its report to the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) the city's health authorities said there were 52 deaths caused by dengue last year or less than one case recorded in 2007.

Most of the victims were males aged two months old to 60 years old.

Cebu City health authorities identified 10 barangays with the highest number of dengue-related deaths and the most number of dengue cases last year.

Barangay Guadalupe tops the list with 98 dengue cases and six deaths followed by Mabolo with 60 dengue cases and two deaths and Labangon with 59 dengue cases and three deaths.

They were followed by Tisa with 54 cases and four deaths, Basak San Nicolas with 52 cases and two deaths, Inayawan with 51 cases and three deaths and Lahug with 50 dengue cases.

Rounding out the list were barangays Kamputhaw with 47 dengue cases, Talamban with 38 dengue cases and three deaths and Bulacao with 36 cases and two deaths.

In contrast, barangays Agsungot, Babag I, Buot Taup, Pamutan, Paril, Sudlon I and II, Tabunan, Tagbao and Taptap had zero incidence of dengue last year.

City health authorities credited the decline in the number of dengue cases to the coordination between sanitary inspectors and barangays in their cleanup and spraying campaigns. Correspondent Jully Venus Cuizon

[Shiloh]

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...up-in-Sorsogon

Dengue cases alert up in Sorsogon

By Roy Gersalia
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 18:17:00 01/15/2009

SORSOGON CITY, Philippines—The Provincial Health Office here has warned residents of the rising number of dengue patients and advised the public to take all the necessary precautions following reports of a rising dengue incidence by the Department of Health regional office.

The mayor of a Sorsogon town was also reportedly confined in a hospital because of the disease.

An employee of the Irosin municipal government said Mayor Lilia Gonzales was recently struck by dengue fever and was hospitalized at the Aquinas University Hospital in Legazpi city last week.

The source, who refused to be identified, said the mayor had already been discharged from the hospital and is now very well.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/re...thern-mindanao

Disease outbreak feared in Northern Mindanao
by JAIME LAUDE, The Philippine Star | 01/17/2009 5:45 PM

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Authorities fear that a disease outbreak might erupt in various evacuation centers in Northern Mindanao where floods caused by heavy rains brought by the tail-end of a cold front has so far displaced more than 138,000 people.

This, as a dengue case was reported Friday in an evacuation center in Gingoog City, which, together with the cities of Cagayan and Iligan, is hard-hit by flooding.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who chairs the National Disaster Coordinating Council, tried to fly to Gingoog Friday but failed to make it due to the inclement weather.

Carmelo Lupo, regional head of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said the floods have destroyed more than P100 million worth of infrastructure, livelihood and agricultural crops in the past two weeks.

In a briefing, Lupo told Teodoro and Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno that the number of evacuees and the flood damage are still going up.

The OCD said the nationwide death toll from floods and landslides has risen to 17, as rescuers recovered six more bodies in a village near Bislig City and in the Agusan River basin, while a man and a woman drowned when two boats capsized off Surigao City.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has also alerted residents of at least 166 villages in Central Mindanao on possible flash floods and landslides that the continuous heavy rainfall might trigger.

The United Nations’ World Food Program said it will provide the government up to 630 metric tons of rice for some 25,000 flood-hit families in Northern Mindanao for about a month.

The social welfare department itself has already provided P1.83 million worth of relief aid to Regions 5, 8, 10, 11 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Elsewhere, nine towns in Catanduanes have been placed were under a state of calamity due to floods and massive landslides.

In Albay, Navy personnel rescued 49 passengers and crewmen of a boat that was in danger of capsizing at the Legazpi City port.

At least 15 fishermen, meanwhile, were rescued after floating for nine hours when their vessel sank in the Davao Gulf. – With Helen Flores, Ramil Bajo, Ben Serrano, Edith Regalado, Cet Dematera and James Mananghaya

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/re...-declines-2008

Number of dengue cases in EV declines in 2008

By JENETTE FARIOLA-RUEDAS, ABS-CBN Tacloban | 01/22/2009 9:39 PM


TACLOBAN CITY - The Department of Health (DOH) office in the region revealed that there was a marked decrease in the number of dengue cases in the region for the year 2008 compared to 2007.

The health office said that there were 962 dengue cases recorded in 2008 which is 20% lower than in 2007 which had 1,213 cases recorded.

Health officials said however that they were alarmed by a 1.2% increase in the fatality rate.

Boyd Roderick Cerro, sentinel nurse of DOH-8, said that the public should remain aware of the threat of dengue and strive to maintain cleanliness of their surroundings to prevent the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

"Water containers and flower vases should always be replaced with water. We should also throw away water that would accumulate anywhere around the backyards," Cerro added.

Cerro also advised the public to immediately consult a doctor in case of fevers that would last two days or more.

As of Thursday, there were already fourteen cases of dengue recorded in the region even as health officials said they hope there would be less cases this year.

Different hospitals in the region have already designated an "express lane" for dengue patients for them to be given immediate attention.

as of 01/22/2009 10:06 PM

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.theboholstandard.com/tops...=622&s13=&s14=

Dengue cases dropped in 2008, records shows

TAGBILARAN CITY - THE combined and continued efforts and vigilance of the stakeholders in preventing dengue illness to spread in the province have paid off.

The number of dengue cases has significantly dropped to only 145 cases in 2008 compared to 1,678 cases in 2007.

The number of deaths has been reduced to five (5) last year, very much lower than 16 fatalities during the same period in 2007, according to records of the Provincial Health Office.

The fatalities (last year) included Renz Joseph Paredes, 5, resident of Panggangan, Clape, Bohol died at Ramiro Hospital; Kevin Carlon, 4, of Cabilao, Loon, also died at same hospital; Josh Zander Libres, 3, Cayacay, Alicia, died at Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in the city; Alma Trazo, 8, of San Agustin, Talibon, died at Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in Talibon; and Christian Pracullos, 21, of Cagawasan, Dagohoy town died at Gallares hospital.

During the same period (2008), the most number of cases (47) occurred during January in Calape, Loon, Baclayon, Dimiao, Maribojoc, Panglao, Buenavista, Clarin, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Tagbilaran city, Talibon, Alburquerque, CPG, G-Hernandez, Trinidad, Ubay, Valencia and Sevilla.

The month of February last year there were 26 cases; March, 8; April, 12; May, 11; June 7; July, 5; August, 3; September, 4; October, 7; November, 13; and December, 2.

In comparison during the eight-year period beginning year 2000, the year 2007 was the deadliest with 1,678 cases and 16 fatalities, records showed.

Dengue cases was recorded at 231 in 2006; 1,113 in 2005; 283 in 2004; 365 in 2003; 289 in 2002; 712 in 2001; and 70 in 2000, also based on PHO’s hospital admission and monthly monitoring documents.

There were three fatalities in 2006; 21 in 2005; five in 2004; three in 2003; two in 2002; five in 2001; and none in 2000.

In the city, occurrences of dengue surfaced anew that alarm city health officials. Report said that city health office led by Dr. Antonio Porticos has started monitoring these occurrences.

City councilor Edi Borja, health committee chair, also vowed to look into these reports regarding dengue in some barangays.

Based on monitoring last year, areas identified to have these dengue incidence included St. Joseph Village, Manga, Mansasa, Tabaco Street, Parras St., F. Torralba St., Ubujan district, Booy, Tamblot St., Gallares St., Borja St., Cogon, Poblacion III, B. Inting St., and R. Enerio St., all in Tagbilaran City with a total of 17 cases. (RVO)

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.negroschronicle.com/?p=3726

23 Mar
Dumaguete tops dengue cases in Negros Oriental
Posted by Negros Chronicle Published in Daily News Updates | 176 views

By EDMUND B. SESTOSO

The city after hugging headlines and meriting a polled editorial on the spate of unsolved killings topping other parts of the province, adding to the list is also being number one when it comes to dengue cases.

This was bared by the local office of the Department of Health in an interview with the members of the media.

In an interview, Dr. Socrates Villamor said that for the period from January to the first week of March this year, Dumaguete City got 81 cases followed by Tanjay with 32 cases, Sibulan 16 cases, Bais City and San Jose with 10 cases each.

Generally, according to the DOH head, there is a 12.6 percent decline compared to the same period last year but Dumaguete remains on the top list.

The DOH official said that they continue to monitor also cases even though it is now considered as “hot days” because there are still remaining incidents that is still reported by medical workers at the government owned Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

Meanwhile, health agency is also closely monitoring a suspected meningococcemia case after it had monitored one.

“This is still suspected because we have yet to wait the results of the examination conducted by health officials” he said.

He added that had considered it as one of the cases because of some rashes on the skin and the patient is having a mild fever.

The doctor identified the patient as a nine year old girl, but whose name and residence is being withheld for some other reasons.

But he said there is no reason to panic as the incident is controllable and if found positive has been detected early.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/re...ls-four-caraga

Dengue kills four in Caraga
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/15/2009 12:02 PM

Four people have died of dengue in Caraga region during the first three months of 2009, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

Data from the DOH-Caraga regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said two of the fatalities were residents of Bislig City; one from Barobo town in Surigao del Sur and one was a resident of Rosario town in Agusan del Sur.

The DOH-Caraga said there are a total of 154 people from all over the region have been diagnosed with dengue since January.

The health department, meanwhile, clarified that the number is actually lower compared to last year's figure. It said a total of 174 dengue cases were recorded from January to March in 2008.

Dr. Gerna Manatad, DOH's regional epidemiologist, said majority of the dengue victims are male with ages ranging from 11 to 20.

Manatad said the DOH-Caraga have intensified its campaign against the dengue virus. She said the regional health department has been going around provinces to educate people on how to remove breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. With a report from Rodge Cultura, ABS-CBN Butuan

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?o...250&Itemid=241

Valencia dengue cases soar
by Walter I. Balane / MindaNews
Thursday, 16 April 2009

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/14 Apr) -- Two children have died and 67 others fell ill of dengue infection as Valencia City faces an alarming increase in the number of dengue cases, an officer of the City Health Office (CHO) said.

The 67 cases for the year’s first three months are almost the same as the number of cases for the whole 2008, Villa Rizon , sanitary inspector at the CHO’s environmental sanitation sector, said today.

The CHO has considered dengue as a priority concern after the alarming number of cases of infection and deaths, she said.

Rizon said two elementary school pupils have died so far. Last year, she estimated the total number of cases at 60 to 70 cases, with three deaths.

“It is already at an alarming rate,” she said.

Joevencio San Mate, CHO dengue coordinator, spoke to the media this week about the situation in Valencia, with the highest number of cases traced to the poblacion barangay with 19 of the 67 cases and one of the two deaths.

The CHO has warned against mediocrity in keeping cleanliness in the surroundings as they conducted a mobile public announcement this week in the city’s barangays.

“There is no sure cure for dengue but cleanliness (as prevention),” she said, inviting the public to clean up or face the problem, especially in the time when the wet season is coming.

The CHO has advised the cleaning up of bottles and other liquid-carrying vessels to prevent breeding sites of the mosquitoes. She said if only people unite, dengue could be stopped.

She said they haven’t conducted fogging operations yet, which is believed to be helpful. But she confirmed they have applied an anti larvae organic solution to control “capsulated eggs” of the dengue mosquitoes.

Romeo Sulit, provincial field operations officer of the Department of Health office in Bukidnon, said that over the last 10 years, Valencia City consistently has the most number of cases throughout the province.

He also cited an observation that the total number of cases of dengue infection rise in a three-year cycle due to the level of vigilance of the public.

Citing it as the second year, he said they had approximately 1,400 cases in 2007. It went down to 280, or 80 percent down, in 2008.

Sulit said they are indeed expecting an upsurge of cases in 2009 that’s why they have alarmed the public about it during their information, education, and communication campaigns.

He said the present number of cases is indeed alarming. He cited that the surge in transmission is common towards the end of summer and will peak from June to July.

He has likewise called for the public to clean up and never to relax in the fight against dengue.

According to the Department of Health’s website, dengue hemorrhagic fever is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.

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.

Among the signs and symptoms include sudden onset of high fever which may last two to seven days, joint and muscle pain and pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes, red tiny spots on the skin, nosebleeding when fever starts to subside, abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee-colored matter, and dark-colored stools.

The DOH suggests to cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, replacement of water in flower vases once a week, clean all water containers once a week, scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to it, 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. (Walter I. Balane / MindaNews)

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/re...zamboanga-city

Dengue cases alarm health officers in Zamboanga CIty
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 05/09/2009 3:28 PM

Local government officials of Zamboanga City are not only concerned with the possible entry of H1N1 virus spreading around the world as it is also trying to contain dengue cases from reaching an alarming level.

Every month, the City Health Office said more than 70 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever is registered in its office.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos said the number is beyond the alert level, of around 60 cases every month, which is imposed by his office.

From January to April of this year, Zamboanga City registered 256 cases of dengue fever.

Agbulos believes dengue cases would still increase due to the unpredictable weather conditions that the city is experiencing now.

Last year, Zamboanga City registered 1,803 cases of dengue fever with nine mortalities compared to the 1,212 cases with 16 mortalities in 2007.

The doctor expressed alarm that within the period of four months this year alone, there were already four people who reportedly died of the illness.

Agbulos said that the City Health Office only registered one death in every 200 cases of dengue fever in 2008.

The local government is now preparing measures to prevent the increase of dengue fever through an intensified information campaign. Also, it will tap the help of barangay officials in conducting fogging activities in schools before the start of classes in June. Leila Vicente, ABS-CBN Regional News Bureau, Zamboanga City
as of 05/09/2009 3:28 PM

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=...0518.htm&no=26

PIA Press Release
2009/05/18

Dengue claims 2 in Bacolod City

Bacolod City (18 May) -- The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) has reported two deaths caused by dengue from January to May 11 of this year with a total number of cases reaching 123.

The CHO identified the fatalities as Gynette Edwyn Anasta of Brgy. Handumanan and Mark Diola from Vista Alegre, Abada Escay, this city.

Comparing it to last year, records from the CHO shows a 15% drop in dengue cases in the same period with 144 cases.

The year 2007 saw 19 deaths with 3,100 dengue cases but sharply fell to 4 deaths with only 462 cases the following year.

Health officials have called for the cleaning of surroundings as dengue mosquitoes thrive in dirty and dark areas. Pools of water gathering on rooftops, old tires and even on flowers should also be cleared to prevent the breeding of the insect.

Those suffering from fever should monitor their disease and immediately see a physician if they see signs of dengue, among them: fever, drop in platelet count, rashes and intense sweating. (PIA-LOL) [top]

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/201109

Dengue kills 8 in Cebu
By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.
May 18, 2009, 10:52pm

CEBU CITY --- While the whole nation is wary about the threat of the influenza A H1N1 virus reaching the Philippines, dengue has resurfaced in Cebu as a killer illness.

The mosquito-borne dengue disease has already claimed the lives of eight persons in Cebu City and affected 282 others since January of this year, the City Health Department announced Monday.

The latest fatality was a 10-yearold child in Barangay Lorega San Miguel, a densely-populated residential area in the city. The child was rushed to the hospital on May 7 but died after two days.

City Health Officer Dorenda Macasucol, however, said that the number of dengue cases and fatalities in the first five months of this year remains low compared to the same period last year, which recorded 24 deaths and 516 cases.

“We, however, remain cautious because there are still fatalities. The city will continue to fight the disease and we hope that the public will continue to cooperate,” said Macasucol.

She said the City Health Department is implementing strict measures against the dengue disease and urged the public to maintain clean and mosquito-free surroundings.

Macasucol also expects the number of dengue cases in Cebu City to rise as the rainy season approaches.

For the first five months of this year, Macasucol said barangay Camputhaw tallied the highest number of cases with 80. This is followed by barangays Labangon, Tisa, Guadalupe, Carreta and barangay Lorega San Miguel.

Last year, the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit (CESSU) recorded a total of 1,260 dengue cases with 52 deaths. This is lower than the 2,123 cases in 2007.

In its report to the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DoH 7) the city's health authorities said there were 52 deaths caused by dengue last year or less than one case recorded in 2007.

Most of the victims were males aged two months old to 60.

Cebu City health authorities identified 10 barangays with the highest number of dengue-related deaths and the most number of dengue cases last year.

Barangay Guadalupe tops the list with 98 dengue cases and six deaths followed by Mabolo with 60 dengue cases and two deaths and Labangon with 59 dengue cases and three deaths.

They were followed by Tisa with 54 cases and four deaths, Basak San Nicolas, 52 cases and two deaths; Inayawan, 51, and three deaths; and Lahug, 50 dengue cases.

Rounding out the list were barangays Kamputhaw with 47 dengue cases; Talamban, 38 cases and three deaths; and Bulacao, 36 cases and two deaths.

In contrast, barangays Agsungot, Babag I, Buot Taup, Pamutan, Paril, Sudlon I and II, Tabunan, Tagbao and Taptap had zero incidence of dengue last year.

City health authorities credited the decline in the number of dengue cases to the coordination between sanitary inspectors and barangays in their cleanup and spraying campaigns.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2009/05...o.bacolod.html

Officials alarmed as dengue claims lives in Iloilo, Bacolod

By Ezee Ann C. Grecia

City health officials have rung the alarm bells following the recent death of a three-year old girl from Veterans Village, City Proper because of dengue fever.
The three-year old girl identified as Anne Sheryn Zamora is the second to have died of dengue in the said barangay which has already registered a total of 20 dengue cases. Last month a four-year old child also died of the mosquito-borne disease.

Nelma Zamora, grandmother of the three-year old girl, said she did not know that her daughter was already suffering from dengue fever as she thought that it was just an ordinary flu.

When the girl started vomiting they decided to bring them to the hospital but after several hours the girl died.

City Health Officer Dr. Urminico Baronda has already instructed his personnel to visit Veterans Village and coordinate with barangay officials to conduct clean up operations to rid the breeding ground of mosquitoes.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas also sought the cooperation of residents not only in Veterans Village but also in other barangays of the city to stop dengue fever as the rainy season sets in.

Baronda said it is expected that dengue cases will rise with the onset of the rainy season.

Barangay officials have also asked the help of private organizations for the conduct of fogging operations in their area.

To recall, the first casualty of dengue fever in the city for this year involved an 11-year old child from Brgy. Sinikway, La Paz in January.

CHO record from January to April of this year showed four recorded deaths.

The city’s control measures include the declogging of drainage system which is handled by the City Engineer's Office while the CHO office is prepared whenever there is a need to have fogging operations in the affected barangays. So far, Veterans Village is the first barangay to have the most number of dengue cases.

Residents are asked to get rid of mosquito breeding places such as old tires, cans and other containers. The dengue carrying mosquitoes also inhabit in dark places and stagnant water.

The symptoms for a person with dengue viruses range from mild fever to incapacitating fever with severe headache. The person also experiences pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain and rash.

Early medical attention and careful management by doctors increase the survival rate of patients. There are cases wherein victims are only brought to the hospital when they suffer from abdominal pain, vomiting and bleeding aside from fever. Hydration of the patient is important.

Mayor Treñas said the clean-up drive is important in the campaign against dengue. “Cleaning our surroundings is very important as a pro-active measure to contain the problem against dengue infection,” he said. In several instances, Treñas has sought the cooperation of the punong barangay in the clean-up drive and proper reporting of the dengue cases.

Aside from the clean-up drive, the city government has already conducted massive information campaign in city’s 180 barangays to fight dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Flyers and information campaign materials were distributed to the different health centers for their references once dengue cases hit their areas. The city health and private doctors have already learned how to manage dengue cases. We have not much problem in the past few years,” Treñas said.

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, the City Health Office (CHO) has also reported two deaths caused by dengue from January to May 11 of this year with a total number of cases reaching 123.

The CHO identified the fatalities as Gynette Edwyn Anasta of Brgy. Handumanan and Mark Diola from Vista Alegre, Abada Escay, this city.

Comparing it to last year, records from the CHO shows a 15% drop in dengue cases in the same period with 144 cases.

The year 2007 saw 19 deaths with 3,100 dengue cases but sharply fell to 4 deaths with only 462 cases the following year.

Health officials have called for the cleaning of surroundings as dengue mosquitoes thrive in dirty and dark areas. Pools of water gathering on rooftops, old tires and even on flowers should also be cleared to prevent the breeding of the insect.

Those suffering from fever should monitor their disease and immediately see a physician if they see signs of dengue, among them: fever, drop in platelet count, rashes and intense sweating. (With reports from PIA Negros Occ.)

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/163083/D...t-up-in-Iloilo

Dengue alert up in Iloilo
05/27/2009 | 04:13 PM

MANILA, Philippines — Noting it already claimed at least six lives in Iloilo City in the first five months of 2009 alone, the city government has issued a warning against the outbreak of dengue.

Online news site The News Today (www.thenewstoday.info) reported that City Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed alarm over the rising number of dengue cases in the city.

Treñas cited statistics from the City Health Office that at least 45 dengue cases, six of them fatal, were recorded from January to May.

During the same period last year, there were only 26 dengue cases in the city.

The report said most of the recorded deaths are in the waterfront villages.

In April and May alone, there were reported dengue-related deaths in Veterans Village, located in the waterfront area.

Last Monday, another death was reported in Dungon A village in Jaro district.

The mayor sought support from the community against the disease, and called for an intensified information and education drive.

The CHO, City Environment and Natural Resources Office and City Engineers Office have conducted chlorination of deep wells to kill the wrigglers and control the breeding place of mosquitoes, declogging of drainage systems and clean up activities.

Also, the CHO conducted barangay consultations and distributed hand-outs on dengue prevention tips to residents for them to be informed and prepared against health risks.

Treñas has also asked the 180 barangay captains especially in areas with confirmed cases of dengue to clean-up drives to prevent the spread of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

He encouraged residents to clean up their drainage and dispose containers and tires, considered breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The mayor also advised those persons who manifest dengue symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 6 (DOH-CHD 6) advised parents of school children to observe the precautionary measures against A(H1N1). - GMANews.TV

[Shiloh]

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/ceb...Cebu-City-drop

Dengue cases in Cebu City drop

By Marian Z. Codilla, Rizel Sabanal-Adlawan, Bernadette Parco
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 09:31:00 06/02/2009

Filed Under: Dengue, Health

Dengue should be given more attention since its fatality rate is higher than Influenza A (H1N1) virus, according to the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7).

Still, Dr. Susana Madarieta, DOH-7 director, said there were fewer deaths due to dengue from Jan. 1 to May 30 this year compared to the same period last year. Even the number of cases dropped, she added.

“The fatality rate of dengue (for the first five months) is 1.3 percent. This is lower than the same period last year, which is 2.8 percent,” she said.

Still, she added the fatality rate for dengue was higher than H1N1 cases, which is less than one percent.

Dengue virus is transmitted by a species of mosquito, the aedes aegypti, a day-biting mosquito that lays eggs in clear and stagnant water. The disease manifests as a sudden onset of severe headache, muscle and joint pains.

Health officials advise the public to maintain environmental sanitation by covering water drums and pails and to replace water in flower vases regularly.

The H1N1 virus is a “mix” of human, swine and avian flu virus and is transmitted through airborne droplet transmission. The disease is manifested in patients with a history of travel and exhibiting flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough and colds.

A total of 1,174 dengue cases were admitted at different sentinel hospitals in Central Visayas with 15 recorded deaths from Jan. 1 to May 30 this year. Last year, the health agency recorded 1,954 cases with 55 deaths.

Majority of the cases are in Cebu with 299 cases with eight deaths, lower compared to the 563 cases and 24 deaths reported over the same period last year.

The number was 46.89 percent lower compared to the same period last year, said Raymond Ogan, Cebu City Coordinator on Dengue Control of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit.

“This is already lower compared to the same period last year,” he said.

A conscious effort to avoid dengue should be done since dengue is here to stay, said Dr. Expedito Medalla, DOH-7 Health and Emergency Management coordinator.

“H1N1 and other avian flu cases will not last that long, unlike dengue, which is here to stay as long as there are uncovered containers with water. Basta naay lamok, naa ang dengue (Where there are mosquitos, there is dengue,” he added.

Of eight deaths from Jan 1 to May 23, two died in barangay Labangon and one each in barangays Kamputhaw, Lorega, Guadalupe, Zapatera, Binaliw and Sudlon II.

Kamputhaw had the highest number of cases of dengue at 26, followed by Labangon at 19 and Lorega, 15. Guadalupe had 14 reported cases while Tisa and Carreta had 13 cases each.

Ten cases each were reported in Talamban and Calamba.

Barangays Bulacao and Pahina Central, San Nicolas remain dengue-free.

Despite the drop in the figures, Mayor Tomas Osmeña was not satisfied with the campaign against the mosquito-borne disease.

He said that even with free consultation and medication offered by the city government in the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), eight people still died of dengue.

“I’m not satisfied. There are too many casualties. They did not know they got dengue, which means our information program is not enough. Even if it is 50 percent less, there is no excuse for that. There are still people who die,” Osmeña said.

The mayor was also irked that the city’s free medication was also running out.

“They don’t tell me if it is running out they just tell me if it is consumed. I don’t know how many availed. We lost so many people because we run out of money. We can’t run a city like this. That is why I hate Civil Service because we cannot kick out incompetent people,” he said.

[Shiloh]

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.

[Shiloh]

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]

[Shiloh]

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

[Shiloh]

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 Peñera.

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. Peñera.

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]

[Shiloh]

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

[Shiloh]

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]

[Shiloh]

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 Treñas 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.

[Shiloh]

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

[Shiloh]

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

Dengue cases dip in Parañaque City

The Parañaque 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.

[Shiloh]

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.

[Shiloh]

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 Osmeña earlier said that the city's goal is to have “zero cases” of dengue.

Osmeña 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.

[Shiloh]

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 Treñas. 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.

[Shiloh]

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 Peñera, 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. Peñera.

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)

[Shiloh]

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 Treñas 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.

[Shiloh]

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]