16 die of dengue in Misamis

DEADLY mosquito bites claimed lives of 16 people in Misamis Oriental this year, and left nearly a thousand others sick.

From January 1 to August 31 this year, 962 persons had been hospitalized because of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

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Despite the staggering figure, Dr. Ignacio Moreno, PHO chief, said the province is still far from reaching the epidemic stage, at which point the National Government can come in to intervene.

Moreno said PHO maintains a regular "Disease Surveillance Update" to monitor the cases and implement corresponding medical response.

PHO data showed that Tagoloan town still has the most number of cases in Misamis Oriental, with 238 cases and two fatalities, followed by Gingoog City with 129 cases and one death; Jasaan with 78 cases and one death.

PHO attributed the rising number of dengue cases in Tagoloan on its water supply, especially that most of the residents get their water from deep-wells.

As a preventive measure, Moreno said that PHO has assembled a team that can be dispatched to areas where cases are high and conduct round-the-clock monitoring.

He added good sanitation remains the best prevention against deadly mosquitoes.

Moreno also said local health officials should expect more dengue cases, considering that the rainy season is not yet over.

The other week, Provincial Board Member Arsenio Kho Jr., proposed a measure seeking "dengue desks" in all provincial hospitals in the province to give priority treatment for dengue victims. (ALR)