Zamboanga City—The Department of Health in Region 9 has recorded a high number of cases of dengue with 20 deaths in the Zamboanga peninsula, and in Basilan since January this year.
Neo Walter Ted Folgo, Aedes vector-borne diseases regional program coordinator, told the Philippine News Agency DOH-9 recorded 2,577 cases of dengue since January, double last year’s 1,113 registered cases.
Folgo said in Zamboanga alone, DOH-9 recorded 986 dengue cases — the highest in the region, followed by Zamboanga del Norte with 663 cases; Zamboanga del Sur, 425; Zamboanga Sibugay, 382; and, Isabela City, Basilan, 121.
Of the 20 deaths, Folgo said the province of Zamboanga del Sur has the most deaths at 10. Zamboanga del Norte has six, Zamboanga Sibugay two, and Isabela City with two.
Eleven of the 20 deaths recorded in this region this year were males, Folgo said. Last year, there were 55 recorded deaths.
One of the contributory factors to the dengue outbreak is the El Niño weather phenomenon, he said.
There are two possible causes of death of dengue patients, the DOH-9 official said. First, the patient did not seek early consultation and second, they have other health problems apart from dengue.
Dengue fever is a viral disease usually affecting infants and young children. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which lay eggs on clear and stagnant water, spread the disease.
The signs and symptoms of dengue fever include sudden high fever, joint and muscle pains, skin rashes, nose bleeding, vomiting of coffee-colored matter, and dark-colored stool.
Folgo said the management of dengue is symptomatic, as there is no medicine for dengue fever alone.
He said the public should practice the “4S” strategy to minimize, if not eradicate, cases of dengue: search and destroy; self-protection measures; seek early consultation; and support fogging in times of increasing cases of dengue.
