ILOILO City – Community quarantine curbs appeared to be a factor in the sharp decline of dengue cases in Western Visayas.
In the first three months of 2021, 462 cases were recorded, with seven deaths, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6’s Epidemiology Surveillance Unit showed.
“This is around 78 percent lower compared to last year’s,” said Maria Lourdes Monegro, an entomologist and DOH-6 dengue program coordinator, in an interview with Panay News.
In the same period in 2020, DOH-6 recorded 2,147 dengue cases with three deaths.
Here’s the breakdown of the dengue cases recorded so far this year:
* Aklan – 19
* Antique – 47 with one death
* Capiz – 58 with one death
* Guimaras – nine
* Iloilo – 81
* Iloilo City – 76
* Negros Occidental – 120 with three deaths
* Bacolod City – 52 case with two deaths
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness that could sometimes be fatal. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) that live and breed in clean, stagnant water.
“One of the contributing factors in the drop is the ongoing community quarantine,” said Monegro.
“Kalabanan nga mga pumoluyo ara sa panimalay so may ara gid tiempo magpang limpyo kag ma-destroy ang breeding sites sang mga mosquitos,” she explained.
DOH-6, however, warned of a possible surge in dengue cases in 2022.
“Every three years kita naga-increase or may outbreak sang dengue. Next year na ang aton ika-third year of the cycle,” said Monegro.
In 2020, Western Visayas had 4,254 dengue cases with 16 deaths.
Meanwhile, in 2019 – third year of the cycle – the region logged 57,355 with 234 deaths.
Individuals should suspect dengue when a high fever (40 degrees centigrade) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, nausea / vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and joint pains, and rashes.
For severe dengue, the warning signs to look out for are: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, blood in vomit, fatigue, and restlessness.
The DOH thus reiterated that each household must follow the 4S strategy in fighting dengue:
* “search and destroy” the breeding places of mosquitoes
* “self-protection” from mosquito bites
* “seek early consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur
* “say yes to fogging” as a last resort when there is a looming outbreak
“Kabay pa nga sa kooperasyon sang aton pumoluyo kag sa aton paghalong indi matabo ang outbreak,” she underscored.
“Indi paglipatan nga aside sa COVID-19 pandemic, may isa pa kita nga virus nga gina-away – ang dengue virus,” Monegro stressed./PN
