Palace Says DOH is on Top of Dengue Outbreak, Notes Decline of Cases in 10 Regions

The Department of Health (DOH) continues to provide medical assistance to public hospitals attending to citizens affected by a flare-up of dengue in several parts of the country, Malacañang said on Sunday.

“Nakahanda rin po ang mga pampublikong pagamutan kung sakaling dumagsa ang (mga pasyenteng may) sakit na dengue sa mga lalawigan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma acknowledged that dengue cases increased in seven provincial zones, but he noted that such incidence has declined in 10 regions, according to DOH.

Among the regions with reported lower incidence of dengue in 2015 are Mimaropa (1,646 to 1,346), Bicol Region (993 to 868), Western Visayas (5,718 to 3,756), Central Visayas (3,481 to 3,326), Eastern Visayas (4,508 to 737), Zamboanga Peninsula (4,743 to 3,891), Northern Mindanao (6,298 to 5,795), Davao Region (5,849 to 2,619), SOCCSKSARGEN (5,302 to 5,109), and Caraga (6,946 to 2,598).

Reports citing the latest nationwide data from DOH said dengue cases rose by 16.5 percent from January 1 to September 5 this year with a total number of 78,808 cases against the 67,637 cases recorded during the same period in 2014.

Coloma said the DOH is zeroing in on areas with mounting reports of dengue, comparing the figures from 2014 to 2015, and continues to monitor the situation.

“Hindi naman dapat magkaroon ng pagkabahala dahil masinsin ang pagsusubaybay ng DOH sa bagay na ito,” the Palace official emphasized.

Coloma underscored the importance of keeping our environment clean at all times to help prevent the spread of such disease. He said DOH is already coordinating with local government authorities on this matter.

“Ang pinakamahalagang aspeto ay prevention. Kinakailangang mapanatili ang kalinisan ng kapaligiran para hindi magkaroon ng pamumugaran ang mga carrier ng dengue at ito ay inaasikaso ng DOH sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga local government authority,” he said. (PCOO/PND)