Barely had the rainy season started in the Philippines when health authorities reported a 148-percent rise in dengue cases in Negros Occidental in Western Visayas in the first five months of 2010.
Provincial Health Officer Luisa Efren said at least one dengue-related death from Jan. 1 to May 29 has been recorded, according to a report on Visayan Daily Star Friday.
Efren said there were 463 cases from Jan. 1 to May 29, compared to only 187 in the same period last year.
She did not identify the "lone" dengue fatality but described the patient as being from Himamaylan City, and that the patient died from dengue shock at the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City.
Efren noted there were three deaths in the province during the same period last year.
The report also identified the top five dengue-hit areas this year as Silay City with 76 cases, Cadiz City 59, Sagay City 50, Escalante City 28, and Bago City 28.
Municipalities and cities that also have recorded dengue cases are Manapla with 28, La Carlota City 23, Victorias City 23, Talisay City 20, E.B. Magalona 16, Calatrava 14, San Carlos City 14, and Toboso 12.
Other cities and towns that have less than 10 cases are Kabankalan City with 8, Himamaylan City 7, Isabela 6, Hinoba-an 5, Ilog 5, Moises Padilla 5, Murcia 5, Candoni 4, Cauayan 4, Hinigaran 4, Sipalay City with 4, Don Salvador Benedicto 3, La Castellana 3, San Enrique 3, Pontevedra 2, Pulupandan 2, Valladolid 1, and Binalbagan 1.
Iloilo dengue cases
Last May 29, health authorities reported they were also monitoring a dengue outbreak in a town in Iloilo province, also in Western Visayas.
A report on Iloilo-based news site The News Today said the supposed outbreak took place in Tubungan town.
The provincial health office sent an Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit (ESU) to verify initial information showing the outbreak was in the town’s Cadapdap village.
Information received by the health authorities showed at least 15 residents in the village had been affected.
The report quoted Provincial health office assistant chief Ma. Socorro Quiñon as saying, “An area with highest number of reported dengue cases is not a good indication," adding that at four deaths has been recorded in the province since January 2010. The deaths were in the towns of Guimbal, Oton, Pototan and one component city of Passi.
From January to June 10 last year, 286 dengue cases were already recorded in the province.
Meanwhile, Quiñon said they are expecting the number of dengue cases to increase during the rainy season. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
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