Monday, May 12, 2008
Health official worries over rains
THE onset of rains had the Cebu City Health Department (CHD) worrying over the possible increase in the number of dengue cases, with officials reminding the public to keep draining stagnant water.
Dr. Fe Cabugao, the city health officer, said Cebuanos should see to it that their homes and neighborhood do not have stagnant water, where dengue-carrying mosquitoes could breed.
From Jan. 1 to May 3 this year, there were already 536 dengue cases reported, which is 139.29 percent higher compared to the 224 incidents recorded in the same period last year.
Of the 536 cases, 20 were reported dead, or four deaths for every 100 cases.
According the report of the City Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit, most of those affected are males (51.4 percent). The age range of patients is from two months to 60 years old.
The CHD, though, has noted a decrease in the number of dengue cases this year with 219 case recorded in January, 156 in February, 96 in March and 65 in April.
Last April 30, the City Council set aside an additional P2.8 million to fight the dengue virus.
The amount was for the purchase of medicines for the Cebu City Medical Center, as well as medical supplies for free blood testing of suspected dengue patients.
In October last year, the City also approved the use of P5 million to fund the laboratory tests and medicines that were given for free to dengue patients.
All 80 barangays in the city were placed under a state of calamity because of the increasing number of dengue cases that time.
To control the spread of the dengue virus, the CHD has scheduled mist spraying in Barangays Sambag I, Capitol Site, and Guadalupe this month.
It will also hold pulong-pulongs (gatherings) with the mayor in Barangays Kalunasan, Duljo-Fatima, Sambag I, Hipodromo, Punta Princesa, Ermita and Camputhaw.
Guadalupe still has the highest number of dengue cases with 32 dengue patients, followed by Talamban, Tisa, and Inayawan with 30 cases each.
The CHD also noted that most mountain barangays are still dengue-free.
City Councilor Gerardo Carillo reported to the City Council last Wednesday that as of this month, no dengue incident has been reported in Barangays Agsungot, Babag I, Babag II, Buot Taup, Pahina Central, Kalubihan, Malubog, Pahina San Nicolas, Pamutan, Paril, Pit-os, Pung-ol Sibugay, San Roque, Sinsin, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Sapangdaku, Tabunan, Tagbao, Taptap and Toong.
Only Pahina Central, Kalubihan, Pahina San Nicolas and San Roque are urban barangays. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 12, 2008 issue)
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