THE Cagayan Valley region is seeing a surge in dengue cases, according to the Department of Health.
In an interview over CNN Philippines, DOH Region 2 Medical Officer Dr. Romulo Turingan said they have recorded almost a 900 percent increase in cases compared to last year, with most of the patients between 11 and 20 years old.
“From January to June 4 this year, dengue cases in Region 2 reached 2,014,” Turingan said in mixed Filipino and English. “This is 897% higher than the previous year, which is only 202.”
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a separate interview, confirmed the surge in the cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Region 2.
“Currently, dengue cases in Region 2, specifically in Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya, have exceeded their alert and epidemic threshold,” she said.
“We have flagged local governments and our regional offices regarding this increase in the number of dengue cases,” she added.
Despite this, Turingan said hospitals in the region are not yet overwhelmed by dengue cases.
“Our hospitals are still okay. We have plenty of beds ready for dengue cases,” said Turingan.
Vergeire said the DOH has given funds to its regional offices to assist local government units and organized dengue lanes in hospitals. The DOH has also mobilized dengue brigades and reminded the public of the “4S strategy” in preventing dengue. These are search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes; wearing long sleeves and use of insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites; consulting a physician when dengue symptoms manifest; and conducting fogging operations in case of an impending outbreak.
