ILOILO City – Dengue cases in Western Visayas this year reached 4,009 cases with 29 deaths, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.
The cases were recorded from Jan. 1 to July 7, according to Dr. Rose Marie Lamirez, DOH Region 6 dengue medical program coordinator.
These were 21 percent higher than the 3,309 dengue cases with 27 deaths recorded in the same period last year, said Lamirez.
Among the six provinces in the region, Negros Occidental had the most number of dengue cases at 1,850. It also recorded 15 dengue deaths.
Lamirez said people with dengue symptoms should immediately see doctor.
The symptoms, which usually begin four to six days after infection, include sudden, high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash which appears two to five days after the onset of fever, and even mild bleeding (such a nose bleed, bleeding gums, or easy bruising).
DOH Region 6 data showed these other dengue cases:
* Aklan – 599 with two deaths
* Iloilo – 479 with two deaths
* Antique – 271 with three deaths
* Capiz – 268 with two deaths
* Guimaras – 38
* Bacolod City – 318 with four deaths
* Iloilo City – 136
Lamirez said there were 50 other cases with one death (patients were not from Western Visayas and contracted dengue elsewhere but sought treatment in the region).
Dengue is caused by day-biting mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus that live and breed and clear, stagnant water.
DOH has been emphasizing the 4S strategy against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases:
* search and destroy mosquito breeding places
* self-protection measures
* seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days
* say “no” to indiscriminate fogging
Aegypti mosquito is referred as the primary vector found in urban areas and it usually rests in cool and dark corners of the house.
Albopictus mosquito is the secondary vector that maintains the virus in the environment and can be found in rural areas and breeds in containers./PN
