Dengue spikes anew
Public Health

Dengue spikes anew

Feb 13, 2023, 7:03 AM
Joyce Kahano-Alpino

Joyce Kahano-Alpino

Writer

Recurring heavy rainfall brought by a shear line that has been affecting the region since December last year had triggered an increase of dengue cases in the region.

The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas observed a notable spike in the number of dengue fever cases in the region based on the reports they received on the first three weeks of 2023.

It also said it is still expecting more cases in the succeeding weeks due to the continuous rains that the region is experiencing.

Due to this, DOH is already taking actions before the situation further escalates and is advising the local government units to be alert and observe all preventive measures to mitigate the number of cases which is at 210 in January 2023 alone.

This represents a 19 percent rise in the number of cases compared to the 176 cases in January 2022.

“We have issued a health advisory to all local government units on waterborne diseases that may occur because of the weather,” said DOH Regional Information Officer Jelyn Malibago.

The DOH also called for the activation of the dengue brigade in villages and organize a weekly simultaneous search and destroy activity to reduce the risk of dengue transmission, increase awareness, and provide policy and financial support through the disaster risk reduction and management plan for health.

The health agency hopes that the alarming number of cases last year which is at 6,794, or an increase of 774 percent compared to the 877 cases in 2021 will not happen again.

It can be recalled that the among the cases were 20 casualties compared to the zero recorded deaths in 2021.

Not just Dengue

Other than the mosquito- borne disease, the DOH noted that during rainy seasons, waterborne diseases like cholera, leptospirosis, and influenza-like ailments are more than likely to spread as well.

“In this regard, the DOH is urging the public and all the LGUs to observe the measures within their premises to mitigate the surge in dengue cases and deaths this year,” DOH said in a statement.

The health agency likewise advises the public to immediately consult a doctor when symptoms like severe headache, pain behind the eyes, full-body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rashes which are attributed to common flu, followed by a sudden drop of platelet count.

There is no known cure for the infection caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito this the public is always reminded how at this times, prevention is always better than cure.


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