Dengue threat is real

PHILIPPINE STAR

DOH Central Luzon issued in its weekly update that 80 of the 83 confirmed cases have fully recovered, but what seems to be the focus of concern are the seven deaths from 654 cases of dengue in the region.

DOH regional director Dr. Rio Magpantay told The STAR that dengue is definitely more of a dangerous threat in Central Luzon than A(H1N1), noting that the mosquito-borne disease has already claimed seven lives since January.

Magpantay stressed that only three of the reported A(H1N1) cases are still ailing, while the rest have fully recovered.

Bulacan topped the list of provinces with the most cases of dengue in Central Luzon with 32, followed by Nueva Ecija with 26, Pampanga and Zambales with eight cases each, Bataan with five, and Tarlac with one case.

Magpantay lamented that dengue fever, transmitted by the Aedes Egypti mosquito, has victimized more Central Luzon folk.

Cumulative figures indicated 654 cases in the region so far this year, amid expectations of more cases with the start of the rainy season, which creates breeding places for the mosquito vectors.

Dengue has already claimed four lives in Bulacan and another three in Pampanga.

As of yesterday, Nueva Ecija topped the list of provinces with the most number dengue cases in Central Luzon at 33. A total of 202 cases were recorded in Bulacan, 135 in Pampanga, 55 in Bataan, 18 in Zambales, and five in Aurora. Reports from Tarlac were still being awaited by the DOH regional office.

Magpantay urged local officials in the region to strengthen their drive to rid their areas of breeding places for the dengue mosquitoes, which flourish in stagnant clear water.