Dengue Cases Decreases

Dengue cases in Cebu City from January 1, 2013 to August 3, this year decreases compared to the same period last year.

As of press time, the updated data from the Cebu City Health Department Epidemiology Statistics and Surveillance Unit shows that during the said period, 1,297 cases were reported with Two (2) deaths noted.

Compared to the same period last year, cases were 39.5% lower with 2012 having 2,145 cases and Seven (7) deaths.

The Incidence Rate of the disease is 1.41 for every 1000 population. Of those affected, males were 53.48%. The age range of patients are from Six months old to Eighty Six years old (median = 13). Among the patients, the school age group were the most affected with 62.15%.

The Ten Barangays with highest number of dengue cases out of the 80 villages comprising the city includes Guadalupe with 88; Talamban with 81; Tisa with 76; Lahug with 62; Apas with 47; Labangon and Punta Princessa both with 45; Mambaling and Quiot both with 41; and Kamputhaw with 38.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is very serious in answering the dengue problem in the city thus the Task Force Stagnant Water Elimination was created last year.

The group is composed of the Cebu City Health Department, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRMO), Cebu City Department of Public Services, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the different Rotary Clubs in the city. They are tasked to destroy all the stagnant waters which is the home of the Aedes aegypti dengue carrying mosquitoes along with the information education campaign on dengue prevention.

Moreover, Mayor Rama also supports all the activities to address the dengue cases in the city, that includes the Department of Health (DOH) “Four o’clock Habit” which was launched last June 15, 2013 in celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Dengue Day. (By Greggy Jiggs P. Senados, PIO Staff)