Cebu Province Reports ‘Dramatic Increase’ in Dengue Cases This Year

The Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) has reported a dramatic increase in the cases of dengue from 2,461 case recorded from January to November last year to 8,218 cases in the same period this year.

Dr. Niño Ismael Pastor of PHO said the cases of dengue are still increasing, but there has been a change in the frequency of the cases.

Based on statistics, the increase continued, but slowed down.

Statistics show that the dengue cases in 2016 were high in September with 1,086 in Cebu Province; October with 1,067; and November with 1,559 cases.

According to the 2016 statistics, the top five places in Cebu where dengue cases frequently occurred were Talisay City with 571 dengue cases; Consolacion with 579; Balamban with 595; and Carcar with 694.

Toledo City leads with a total of 790 dengue cases.

The PHO has launched several drives to eradicate the breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

They also launched a larvicide campaign to kill mosquitoes during the larval stage by applying larvicide in stagnant pools of water and water containers.

Cyril Pangatungan, a PHO surveillance officer, said the clean-up drive and search and destroy operations are still continuing with the hope that by 2017, the dengue cases will drop. (PNA)LAP/EB/SSC