Apayao, Benguet post increases in dengue

APAYAO and Benguet provinces posted increases in dengue cases despite a significant decrease in cases in other provinces in the Cordillera region.

Apayao posted a 480 percent increase in dengue cases at 151 suspected cases reported this year compared to only 26 cases reported from January to September 1 last year.

Benguet province also posted an 82 percent increase at 626 suspected dengue cases this year compared to 344 cases reported last year.

Abra, Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province posted significant decreases in dengue cases compared last year, which resulted in an overall 10 percent decrease at 3,136 cases from 3,473 suspected cases in the region in 2011.

Eleven deaths were also reported in the towns of Danglas, Tineg, Pidigan and Lagangilang in Abra; Tuba, Benguet;Lagawe and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao; Paracelis and Sadanga, Mt. Province and one admitted in Baguio City from Rosario, La Union.

According to the DOH-Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, males are more affected than females with majority of those affected at 11 to 20 years old age group.

Department of Health-Cordillera medical officer Dr. Amelita Pangilinan said an effective Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue campaigns have contributed to the decline of cases in the region.

Continuous rains in the past months brought about by typhoons and the start of the monsoon season have also been effective in flushing out breeding grounds of mosquitoes, Pangilinan said.

She said the agency continues to advocate the “4S system” or Search and destroy breeding grounds of mosquitoes; Seek early consultation; Self-protection; and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

The agency continued to dissuade the public in conducting indiscriminate fogging as it only drives away mosquitoes but does not kill them.

Parents are also advised to let their children use insect repellant lotions during daytime as dengue-carrying mosquitoes often bite at before sunrise and sunset.

Eradicating breeding sites of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes are also important in disposing possible stagnant water breeding areas, specifically fortune plants abundant in ornamental gardens.