ILOILO City – For more than five weeks, the provinces of Aklan and Guimaras recorded no dengue cases.
Between May 3 and July 10, Aklan recorded zero cases, while from May 24 to July 10, Guimaras also had none, according to the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6.
Data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) also showed a 67-percent decrease in the total dengue cases in Western Visayas.
Region 6 logged 989 dengue cases with eight deaths between Jan. 1 to July 10 this year, much lower than the 3,032 cases recorded in the same period last year.
Here’s the breakdown of the dengue cases recorded so far this year:
* Aklan – 28
* Antique – 131 with one death
* Capiz – 133 with one death
* Guimaras – 14
* Iloilo – 201 with one death
* Negros Occidental – 223 with three deaths
* Bacolod City – 96 with two deaths
* Iloilo City – 163
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breed in clean, stagnant water.
Individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.
The DOH thus reiterated that each household must follow the 4S strategy in fighting dengue:
* “search and destroy” the breeding places of mosquitoes
* “self-protection” from mosquito bites
* “seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur
* “say yes to fogging” as a last resort when there is a looming outbreak/PN