BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The Department of Health reminds the public to be wary against Dengue and other infectious diseases in addition to COVID – 19.
DOH – Cordillera Entomologist Alexander Baday, in a recent Kapihan media forum, reported the increasing trend in Dengue cases where from January 1 to April 16 of this year, there were already 883 cases recorded, more than three times higher than the 204 cases recorded during the same period of 2021.
Except for Abra which has zero Dengue case as against the eight last year, all the provinces including Baguio City have rising cases.
Apayao logged 172 cases, Baguio City – 125, Benguet – 312, Ifugao – 53, Kalinga – 140 and Mountain Province with 29. There are also 52 non – CAR (residents) Dengue cases recorded in the region.
Most of the dengue patients are in the 16 to 20 years old age bracket, Baday said.
There were also three Dengue deaths recorded in CAR, a 17 year old male in Tabuk City, Kalinga; 64 year old male in La Trinidad, Benguet, and a 69 year old female in Calanasan, Apayao.
Baday thus reminds the public that along with the strict compliance to the COVID – 19 minimum public health standards and safety protocols, they must also continue to practice the 4S against Dengue (Seek and destroy Mosquito breeding site, self – protection from mosquito bites, seek early consultation if signs and symptoms persist. and say yes to fogging as a last result to combat an outbreak).
Aside from vector – borne diseases like Dengue, Karen Lonogan of the DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, reminded the public to be mindful of vaccine preventable and food and water – borne diseases.
Based on the April 16,2022 RESU data, there were 460 cases of typhoid fever, almost double the 218 cases recorded during the same period in 2021 while influenza- like illnesses (ILI) reached 919 cases as against the 396 cases last year.
A drastic increase was also noted on hand, foot and mouth diseases with 87 cases this 2022 compared to the two cases last year. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
