DAVAO CITY–The Davao City Health Office (CHO) has now recorded 562 confirmed dengue cases from January up to the second week of June this year.
The figure remains lower compared to the same period in the past two years, based on CHO records, as the city posted 977 cases in 2017 and 1,890 cases in 2016.
However, CHO Tropical Disease Division head Elizabeth Banzon on Thursday said this year’s recorded cases could still increase with the onset of the rainy season.
She said the top five districts that have the most number of dengue cases are Agdao with 78 followed by Talomo North (75), Buhangin (65), Talomo South (46) and Poblacion A with 39. Of the total cases, Banzon said four died due to complications and dehydration.
The first two deaths this year happened last February, one in May and one this month.
Banzon urged the public, especially barangay officials, to take action in preventing the propagation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes by cleaning their surroundings.
Barangay officials must also continue their information drive on dengue prevention and cleanup to prevent egg-laying female mosquitoes from breeding in their yards, she added.
Banzon also reminded the public to immediately seek medical attention if they experience fever that run up to two days because this could be a manifestation of dengue.
She added that every household should prepare an oral rehydrating solution (oresol) because most of the deaths relating to dengue were due to dehydration.
Dengue is an emerging pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of the world, according to the World Health Organization. –Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA
