The City Health Office has recorded a 9.21% increase in the number of dengue cases in Davao City from January to December 2016.
According to CHO ‘s data from January to December 2016, dengue cases have reached a total number 3,972 cases compared to 3,637 cases over the same period in 2015.
The most number of dengue cases were registered in Buhangin District with 553 followed by Talomo South with 553, Calinan with 352, Toril with 330 and Talomo Central with 240.
Most victims of dengue were of ages six to 15 years old; and patients are usually male.
There were also 29 deaths reported in last year’s dengue cases.
City Health Office (CHO) chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte noted that the dengue cases usually rise during the rainy season, especially the month of July 2016 with 875 cases compared to July 2015’s 426 cases.
“Another reason why dengue cases increased is that there is also an increase of breeding containers in the community around us,” she said.
Villafuerte is optimistic that the intensified campaigned against dengue fever will result in significant decrease in the number of cases and fatalities caused by the killer disease.
Villafuerte reminded the public to practice the “4S” campaign to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases.
The 4S means Seek early consultation for fever lasting more than two days; use Self-protection measures; Search and destroy mosquito breeding places, and say no to “indiscriminate fogging.”
Villafuerte explained that the public has to coordinate with the authorized sanitary inspections for the fogging activity, adding that the public has to eliminate the source of reproduction for mosquitos.
“It will be useless because the mosquito eggs will still hatch into adult mosquitoes,” she added.
The CHO is also calling everyone to participate in the clean-up drive as they had observed that most victims have clean houses “but do have an unclean neighborhood.”
“We are reiterating that the best way to prevent dengue is through sustained cleanliness and sanitation which the general public should be mindful about,” Villafuerte reiterated.
