KALIBO, Aklan – The number of dengue cases reported in Aklan rose to more than 700 cases this year.
Based on the latest data, dengue cases reached 731, with 135 cases recorded each in Kalibo and Ibajay towns.
There were 114 cases in Nabas; Malay had 98; Numanci, 39; and Buruanga, 38.
Dengue cases were also reported in Banga town with 35, New Washington – 28, Makato – 27, Tangalan and Libacao – 19 each, and Malinao – 17, Balete and Batan – 14 each; Lezo – 10, and Altavas and Madalag – nine each.
There were 289 cases between ages one and 10 years old, while 195 infections were aged 11 to 20 years old.
Thirty percent of dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Nov. 26 had ages ranging from 21 to 61 years and above.
With this, local health authorities urged the public to stay vigilant and take measures against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Households were still high-risk areas for infection. Rural communities with high prevalence of dengue are encouraged to step up its vector management to mitigate the impact of the disease.
The Aklan Provincial Health Office also reminds the local residents to maintain cleanliness, intensify the campaign at the barangay level to drastically reduce mosquito breeding sites and to encourage the use of rural health units as hydration units for dengue patients.
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 clean, stagnant water.
Dengue should be suspected when a high fever (40°C) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms during the febrile phase (2-7 days): severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, and rash./PN