ILOILO City – The City Health Office (CHO), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), is marking “Dengue Day” today at the Diamond Jubilee Hall.
A blood donation drive is one of the highlights. Some dengue cases need blood transfusion.
Today’s event which is in line with the ASEAN Dengue Day set tomorrow, June 15.
“The blood donation drive will be facilitated by the Philippine Red Cross,” said Maria Lourdes Monegro, DOH Regional 6 entomologist.
This advocacy event aims to increase public awareness of dengue; mobilize resources for its prevention and control; and demonstrate the commitment to tackle the disease.
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 albpictus and Aedes egypti) that live and breed and clean, stagnant water.
Monegro said there will be a motorcade in major thoroughfares of the city and a program will be held at the Diamond Jubilee Hall.
“There will also be booths and kiosks in the venue that will further raise public awareness on dengue,” she said.
Data from DOH-6 showed a total of 8,613 dengue cases in Western Visayas from Jan. 1 to June 1, 2019.
Monegro said these cases reflect an increase of 198 percent compared to the cases recorded in the same period last year.
According to DOH-6, Aklan recorded 1,019 cases; Antique, 285; Capiz, 1,245; Guimaras, 187; Iloilo Province, 2,516; Iloilo City, 557; Negros Occidental, 2,277; and Bacolod City, 433. (LTP, PIA-Iloilo/PN)
