Dengue cases in CamSur up

Health officials enjoin public to support campaign against dengue

By Analiza S. Macatangay

Friday 6th of July 2012

PILI, Camarines Sur, July 6 (PIA) -- From 296 dengue cases from January to June 2011, records collated from various provincial sentinel sites here show a total of 780 occurrences covering the same period this year.

This prompted local health authorities to step up their campaign, specifically focusing on the search and destruction of possible breeding sites of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

As of June 16 this year, the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit located in Barangay Banasi, Bula Camarines Sur identified municipalities with the most number of dengue cases: Pasacao with 37 cases; Canaman and Magarao with 33 cases each; Calabanga, 30; Sipocot, 28; and Ocampo with one recorded fatality. Among the cities, Naga is still tops with 409 cases.

Crispy Aco, Mosquito-Borne Disease Coordinator, said that Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte directed the local health units to intensify their clean up drives and put in place safety measures to combat the increasing number of dengue victims.

“There is an ongoing talk with a private entity, Renew Philippines, and the provincial government of Camarines Sur to purchase a larvaecide that would cut the normal phase of dengue mosquitoes. This chemical would cut the life cycle of this insect.This is the best way to stop them from increasing. Hopefully things will go as planned so that the province can immediately implement this in identified dengue-affected towns, “ Aco said in an interview.

Based on the record released by the PHO, dengue cases this year went up this May, with 172 from 54 cases last year covering the same month. The fluctuating trends started this January with a recorded case of 142, then went down to 91 cases in February. The cases picked up and have recorded 140 victims in March and slightly went down to 118 in April. It reached an all time high in May with 172 and has seemingly decreased to 117 this June.

Aco said that they don’t have a complete data yet this June since they are still in the process of collating and are still verifying the submitted reports coming from the sentinel sites.

PHO has intensified its information dissemination campaign by going down to the barangays and personally handing over leaflets and IEC materials to the communities.

“One of the economical way is still maintaining the cleanliness of our surroundings, and that would mean getting rid of breeding sites, such as old tires, coconut husks, roof gutters discarded bottles, flower vases and other container that can hold clean, stagnant water. It also pays to practice the other 3s – Self protection, seek early consultation and saying no to indiscriminate fogging, “ Aco added. (MAL/LSM- PIA 5, Camarines Sur)