All set for Iloilo February 21 launching of "ToDOH Laban Sa Dengue"
by T. Villavert
Iloilo City (21 February) -- All is set. Today the Ilonggos stand as one to wage war against the dreaded Dengue Fever with DOH Undersecretary Mario C. Villaverde leading the launching of "ToDOH Laban sa Dengue" at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Board Room in Iloilo City.
Dr. Fabian Mabasa, regional dengue control program coordinator of DOH 6 said in a PIA interview that "there is an urgent need to intensify the campaign against dengue fever because it has become an all-year round disease".
"With the 'ToDOH Laban Sa Dengue' launching, it is expected to raise the level of awareness of the people in Western Visayas that the government is tapping the public's support, and must work together to stop the spread of the disease," Dr. Mabasa said as he urged the public to make it a habit to clean their surroundings, as this is the best preventive measure against dengue fever.
During the launching, Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. will give his welcome remarks while Dr. Mabasa gives the Dengue Situationer of Western Visayas. Director Lydia Depra-Ramos of DOH 6 will introduce the guest speaker Usec Mario C. Villaverde. The activity will likewise launch the International Year of Sanitation.
The Dengue cases in Western Visayas, per DOH report disclosed that there were a total of 8,506 cases reported from the different sentinel hospitals in the region from January 1 to December 2007. The DOH report also noted that "this is 367% higher as compared to last years 1,820.
Majority of cases came from the provinces of Negros Occidental and Iloilo. The Inter Local Health Zone with highest case fatality ratio is from Northern Antique Cluster. Most of the cases were admitted at Corazon L. Montelibano Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City and Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.
Ages of cases ranged from 2 months to 88 years old, majority of cases were male recorded at 51.4%; forty-seven percent of the cases belonged to the 0-9 year age group. There were 87 deaths or case fatality ratio of 1.0 percent.
Meanwhile, the updates from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of DOH 6, disclosed that from January to February 2, 2008, seventy-two (72) dengue cases regionwide. There was no fatality recorded.
The RESU recommends continuous monitoring of denge cases; additional hospitals to be considered as sentinel sites; and sustaining the 4-S activities all year-round. The 4-S are: self-protection measures search nad destroy breeding places of mosquitoes; seek early treatment/consultation; and say no to indiscriminate "fogging". (PIA) [top]
