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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Thursday, June 15, 2017
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ILOILO City – While the number of dengue cases in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental from Jan. 1 to May 27 was lower compared to same period last year, the deaths almost doubled.
Nineteen people died of the mosquito-borne disease so far this year.
“Kalabanan sang aton mga cases nga nagkalamatay late ang ila admission sa hospital (Most of those who died were taken to the hospital late),” or when the symptoms have gone worse, said Maria Lourdes Monegro, regional dengue program coordinator for the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
Majority of the fatalities (nine) were from Negros Occidental, a former Western Visayas province that now belongs to Negros Island Region (Region 18) but the DOH Region 6 continues to monitor.
Bacolod City, capital of Negros Occidental, followed with five deaths.
Iloilo and Aklan provinces had two deaths each. Antique had one.
No dengue-related deaths were recorded in Capiz and Guimaras provinces and Iloilo City.
There were only 10 deaths in the same period in 2016.
Dengue cases from Jan. 1 to May 27 this year reached 1,997, lower than the 3,636 in the same period last year.
Negros Occidental also posted the highest number of cases this year with 847.
Bacolod City also came in second with 324. Aklan had 288; Iloilo province, 229; Iloilo City, 89; Antique, 88; Capiz, nine; and Guimaras, seven.
Hospitals are only in charge of dengue “management,” while “prevention and control are still with our Rural Health Units,” Monegro said.
People with fever lasting two days are at risk of dengue.
They should be taken to the nearest health center for testing, Monegro said, adding that the testing is free.
The lack of sufficient blood supply is also a factor in the worsening of dengue cases, according to Dr. Mae Delmo, assistant Iloilo City health officer.
Severe dengue cases may require blood transfusion.
“May mga kaso nga kinahanglan ang dugo subong,” Delmo said. “Kon wala available (nga supply), mangita pa sang madonar kag may cross-matching pa. Antes mag-abot ang dugo, malala na ang pasyente.”/PN
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