KALIBO, Aklan – The Provincial Heath Office has reported a sharp surge in the number of dengue cases from January to Aug. 24 this year.
Cases of the mosquito-borne disease reached 4,800 with 19 deaths; 335 percent higher compared to last year during the same period.
The PHO said the town of Kalibo is the hardest hit of the viral disease with 947 dengue cases.
It was followed by municipalities of New Washington, 44; Balete, 347; Numancia, 334; Malay, 321; Ibajay, 299; and Nabas, 246.
There were 2,472 female victims, or 51 percent and 2,328 males affected by dengue.
According to PHO, the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in this capital town admitted 1,838 dengue patients or 39 percent of 4,800 cases.
Patients aged 11 to 20 years old were most vulnerable with 1,578, or 33 percent followed by one year to 10 years old patients with 1,487.
Of the 327 barangays, there were 127 dengue hotspots across the province.
The PHO has reminded the public to observe “4s strategy” by searching and destroying the breeding sites, self-protection and say no to indiscriminate fogging.
Last July 15, the province of Aklan had declared a dengue outbreak after a spike in the number of patients affected by mosquito-borne disease. /PN
