Dengue cases in Western Visayas breach 20,000 with 51 deaths

BACOLOD, Philippines – Dengue cases in six provinces and two highly-urbanized cities in Western Visayas have breached 20,814 with 51 deaths as of January to August 31 this year,  Department of Health in Region 6 (DOH 6), said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, September 10.

The figures are “too high” with notable increase of 264% compared to the same period of last year, which had only 5,711 with 25 deaths.

The health officials also said the new cases just of last week reached 2,758.

Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, DOH 6’s program medical coordinator for emerging and re-emerging infectious disease, said the Iloilo Province topped the list for having the most number of dengue cases at 8,039 with 23 deaths.

Negros Occidental followed with 3, 296 cases with 10 deaths, Capiz with 2, 104 with five deaths,  Aklan – 2, 103 with three deaths, Guimaras – 1, 668 with one death, Iloilo City – 1,407 with four deaths, Antique – 1, 111 with two deaths, and Bacolod City – 1,086 with three deaths.

Natalaray also said  some 998 barangays in the Western Visayas have also clustering of dengue cases, and 21 were already classified as “hot spot” villages.

As to the admission of dengue cases in various hospitals in the region, Natalaray said that based on their monitoring, the current rate ranges from 70 to 72% utilization.

Health Undersecretary Dr. Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral told Rappler on Wednesday, September 11, however, said dengue awareness have had started to increase in the region.

Aside from fogging or spraying operations being conducted by almost all local government units in the region, there were also some activities being done to drum up public awareness against dengue, she said.

“Thus, two to three weeks from now, I am sure, there will be a decrease in dengue cases in the entire region,” Maestral said.

Maestral still warned both Ilonggos and Negrenses not  to resort to indigenous treatment of dengue fever like using extracts from tawa-tawa (wild grass) or  juvenile papaya leaves.

Rather, she advises the public to seek early consultation or treatment so proper cure can be administered to any dengue patients. – Rappler.com