Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Dengue cases aren't alarming in region By Grace L. Plata
WHILE several areas in Metro Manila are raising dengue alerts, following the substantial increase in the number of cases, dengue in Southern Mindanao is comparably lower than last year.
Statistics from the Center for Health Development (CHD) in the region show that there have been 995 reported dengue cases from January to August of 2006, down from 2,326 cases reported from January to August 2005.
The CHD Regional Dengue Coordinator said August, being the peak month for dengue, is when they are on alert and are closely monitoring areas that have long been identified as dengue hotspots.
These hotspots are Buhangin, Talomo North and South, Sasa, Bunawan, Tagum City, Mati in Davao Oriental and Digos City, District B.
In August 2005, there were 422 reported dengue cases while there are only 102 cases reported in August of this year.
Mortality rate due to dengue also lowered from 35 victims last year to 10 this year.
Ebol said the fall in dengue cases can be attributed to massive information campaigns, surveillance and barangay monitoring of the health officials. These efforts have made the people aware of the dengue threat and have equipped them with the know-how on dengue prevention.
Much have indeed been disseminated about dengue and preventive measures are slowly becoming part of the residents' routine.
But, it does not mean that residents can now disregard the threat. In fact, the threat is greater now because observations revealed that the flight range of Aedes Aegeypti mosquitoes, the dengue virus carriers, is not 150 meters as previously believed, but 400 meters.
Ebol said the evolution and the adaptation of the virus-carrying mosquitoes to human surroundings should put everyone on guard.
