CAPIZ – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here recorded a clustering of dengue cases in 11 barangays.
These are barangays Poblacion Ilaya, Tanza Sur, Pili, Chiquito, Bato, and Lomboy in Panay; Balucuan, Dao; and Bolo, Cagay, Dayao, and Lanot in Roxas City.
According to the PHO, there is clustering if there are at least three dengue cases within four consecutive weeks.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness that could be fatal if not managed well. Its carriers are day-biting mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti) that breed in clear, stagnant water.
As of Aug. 5, this province logged 431 dengue cases, with three deaths. This is 8.30 percent lower compared to last year’s 470 cases.
The most affected age group is 10 to 19 years old.
The municipality of Panay has the highest number of dengue cases at 92, followed by Roxas City with 89.
Tapaz had 86 cases; Dumarao and Pontevedra with 20 each; Dao and Dumalag with 19 each; Mambusao, 16; Sigma, 14; Jamindan, 13; Panitan, 10; Cuartero, nine; Pilar, eight; Ivisan, six; President Roxas, five; Sapian, three; and Maayon, two.
The PHO is urging the public to continue taking measures against dengue, especially the 4S strategy which stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; self-protection measures like wearing trousers and long-sleeved shirts and daily use of mosquito repellent; seeking early treatment; and supporting fogging or spraying only in hotspot areas where an increase in cases is registered for two consecutive weeks to prevent an impending outbreak./PN
