Dengue Kills Eight, Downs Hundreds in Bikol

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept.3 -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Bikol on Friday said that at least eight people have died and 1,003 people were hospitalized in various parts of Bikol mainly due to dengue, a mosquito-borne disease.

The surge in dengue case in Bikol for the first two quarters of the year prompted health authorities to be on heightened alert by intensifying the agency surveillance units in the six provinces of Bikol.

The DOH epidemiology surveillance team said reports from field units indicate that current 1,003 dengue cases with eight deaths is quite disturbing since it posted a 6 percent increase compared to the same period last year with 943 cases.

Camilo Aquino DOH dengue regional coordinator said incidence of death due to dengue was reported in Camarines Sur with five and once each in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate.

He said Camarines Sur topped the list of dengue cases with 469 cases, followed by Albay with 314, Sorsogon with 101, Catanduanes with seven, Masbate 34, and Camarines Norte with only 12 cases.

DOH records indicate that based on comparative data from last year to the present there was a high incidence of dengue cases was in Albay notably rising by 330 percent, followed by Sorsogon with 83 percent increase' and Catanduanes with 24 percent increase in dengue cases.

While other provinces registered a down trend ranging from 7 percent to 37 percent decrease in cases of Dengue.

The DOH reiterated its call the various district and municipal health units to intensify their respective sanitation and clean-up campaign to curb the rising incidence of the dreaded mosquito borne disease.

The DOH likewise directed health authorities to initiate the 4S strategies in combating dengue these include: search and destroy, seek early consultation, say no to indiscriminate fogging, and self protection.

They also called on the residents to continue to practice the 4:00 o'clock habit that will ensure cleanliness in the households' surroundings, furthermore, barangays should mobilize their dengue brigades to monitor anti-dengue drives in their respective villages. (PNA)