BAGUIO CITY– The Department of Health advises the public anew to be wary of dengue that is on the uptrend.
Alert is also up against Acute Viral Hepatitis, Hand Foot and Mouth Diseases (HFMD) and Leptospirosis, emerging diseases in 2017.
Nurse V Geeny Ann Austria of DOH – Cordillera Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, disclosed that dengue is expected to be on the uptrend early this year with increase in the number of cases already recorded last December.
RESU data shows that the 304 cases recorded last month was 184 percent higher compared to the 107 cases recorded in December 2016.
For the emerging diseases, she reported alarming increase in cases in 2017 compared to 2016 data. The 228 cases of Acute Viral Hepatitis, 275 cases of HFMD and 90 cases of Leptospirosis last year reflected 330%, 277 %, and 105% increase, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Austria related dengue and the emerging diseases to climate change and the change in behavior of animals.
To combat dengue, the DOH reiterates its health advisory to the public to practise the ABaKaDa (Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue) or community action for cleaning–up possible mosquito breeding sites.
There is a need to intensify clean–up drives so that there will be no breeding sites for mosquitoes, especially that the dengue mosquito (aedesaegypti) also causes chikunggunya.
On the other emerging diseases, Austria reminds the public to be wary of street foods, ensure proper food handling and preparations as well as proper hygiene and proper health etiquette/protection especially in crowded places as virus tend to transfer from one person to another.
More importantly, maintain a healthy lifestyle, she said. **CCD with Dent Lasam-PIA CAR/UC Intern
