Monday, June 23, 2008
CH prepares watchlist of brys. to be monitored
WITH the onset of rain and the start of the second quarter, Cebu City residents are asked to be extra vigilant against dengue, especially that in the past it has been observed that the number of cases rise significantly starting July.
All barangays with high occurrence of dengue were already placed under a watchlist. The City Government will use this as basis in choosing which areas need to be prioritized, said City Councilor Gerardo Carillo.
“Last year, there was a steady increase in incidents (starting July). Barangays with high incidents (of dengue) should be in the watch list,” he said.
Based on last year’s figures, the number of dengue cases declined from January to June but rose sharply starting July.
Increased
In particular, there were just 41 cases in June, but the number increased by 436.59 percent with 220 cases in July.
There were 352 dengue cases in August, 319 in September, 371 in October, 294 in November, and 285 in December.
Last January, the number decreased to 219, with 156 in February, 96 in March, 76 in April, 67 in May, and 36 in June.
The 2008 figures showed a downward trend, Carillo said, but they were 161 percent higher compared to the same period last year, which just have 69 dengue cases in January, 81 in February, 56 in March, 17 in April, and 18 in May.
Mostly males
According to a City Health Report, three persons have died so far this year.
Most of those affected by dengue are males, who compose 51 percent, and the victims ranged from two months to 66 years old.
Guadalupe continues to be the severely affected with 42 cases, followed by Labangon with 37, Inayawan (36), Mabolo (34), Tisa (31), Talamban (30), Basak San Nicolas (23), Mambaling (22), Bulacao (22), Lahug (20).
Of Cebu City’s 80 barangays, 17 remain dengue free, most of them mountain villages. They are barangays Agsungot, Babag, Buot Taup, Kalubihan, Malubog, Pahina San Nicolas, Pamutan, Paril, Pit-os, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sinsin, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Sapangdaku, Tabunan, Tagbao, and Taptap.
Continuing
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, addressing the Association of Barangay Councils general assembly early this month, said dengue is a continuing problem all barangays should be wary of.
He reminded the barangay officials of the clustering of dengue cases, which will give them an idea where breeding places could be found.
He lauded Labangon’s setting up reminders for people to be wary when entering “dengue zones.”
He also cited Lahug as example that concerted efforts will yield good results, after dengue cases decreased significantly.
Lahug used to rank third among barangays with the most number of dengue incidents. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 23, 2008 issue)
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