Dengue cases in Central Visayas near 6,000 mark

Local

THE Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7) on Tuesday, June 24, reported that a total of 5,880 dengue cases have been recorded in the region this year.

As of June 14, 10 deaths caused by dengue have already been recorded, Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, head of DOH-7’s Communicable Diseases Section, said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas media forum at the Philippine Information Agency regional office on Tuesday, June 24.

Cebu Province topped the list with 2,939 cases, followed by Bohol with 1,275. Cebu City recorded 999, while Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue cities had 378 and 289 cases, respectively.

Buscato did not give specific details about the 10 dengue-related fatalities.

Last year, the DOH-7 also recorded 10 deaths caused by dengue.

Buscato said this year's total number is three percent higher than the 5,694 cases logged in the same period last year.

He reminded the public to seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms, noting that “fever for 2 days is already a sign that you should seek consultation.”

Buscato said that free dengue test kits are available in Rural Health Units and Barangay Health Offices.

Buscato stressed the importance of consistent prevention, especially in highly urbanized areas like Cebu City where clustering of cases remains a concern.

“Prevention really starts at home. Practice 4 o'clock habit,” he said, referring to the daily clean-up routine that aims to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites.

The 4 o'clock habit is a daily dengue prevention practice promoted by the health agency, urging the public to spend 10 minutes at 4:00 p.m. each day to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites.

This includes emptying containers with stagnant water, cleaning gutters, and clearing areas where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

The habit targets the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is most active during late afternoons.

Earlier, Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, regional epidemiologist of DOH 7, said common symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, and skin rashes.

If left untreated, she warned that the disease could progress to more severe forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, both of which can be fatal.(MyTVCebu)