Dengue Cases

A total of 13 persons died while at least 1,746 others were infected with dengue in Central Luzon for the first half of the year, based on the report of the Department of Health.

Pampanga has the highest reported number of dengue cases at 652 and five deaths. Nueva Ecija had 324 cases; Bulacan, 306; Tarlac, 198; Zambales, 142; and Bataan, 134.

The rise has been alarming since present count is 268% higher compared to the same period in 2007, according to Dr. Rhodora Cruz, regional dengue control program coordinator.

Currently, Central Luzon is still among the top five regions with high incidences of dengue.

The dengue outbreaks in Pulong Santol in Porac and San Juan in Apalit, both in Pampanga, and in Angat, Bulacan, have been controlled, Cruz said.

In Pangasinan, the Provincial Health Office reported that the number of dengue cases in the province also went up to 236 in the last five months, higher than the 188 cases recorded in the same period last year.

In Sulu, one of the country’s poorest provinces, the number of dengue cases went up to 70 since January. Provincial health director, Farah Tan-Omar, blamed floods as the main reason for the surge in dengue cases.

Meanwhile in Quezon City, 10 residents died of Dengue while a total of 1,210 have been admitted to hospitals due to the disease for the past seven months of the year. The areas of Payatas, Batasan, Commonwealth, Holy Spirit and Fairview registered the most number of dengue cases.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said a total of 15,061 cases of dengue nationwide were recorded from January to June 14 this year. He said the number is expected to increase significantly by July with the onset of the rainy season.

Duque said Metro Manila remains on top of the list of regions with the most number of dengue cases followed by Central Luzon and the Calabarzon area.

The secretary said despite the increasing number of dengue cases, the fatality rate remained low at 1 percent, which he attributed to the quick responses of the families of patients and health workers.