After health officials in 2018 tallied the highest number of dengue cases in Bohol in a span of at least 18 years, the number of individuals stricken by the mosquito-borne viral disease continued to soar in the first 26 days of 2019.
The number of dengue cases recorded from January 1 to January 26, 2019 rose to 364, posting a staggering 468.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2018, based on data from the Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (DOH-RESU) 7.
The RESU recorded 64 cases during the same 26-day span last year.
According to the data, two individuals died due to complications of the disease in Tagbilaran City during the same period.
The highest number of dengue cases were recorded in Tubigon, 35; Tagbilaran City, 27; Buenavista, 24; Calape, 23; and Clarin, 19.
The DOH 7 reiterated its call for local health authorities to “intensify information campaign on dengue emphasizing on the importance of eliminating the breeding places of mosquitoes.”
“Clean all possible mosquito breeding places (flower vases, dish drains, old tires, roof, gutters, used cans, etc.) where water can pool or accumulate,” the DOH said.
Both government and private hospitals were also urged by the department to establish “fast lanes” for dengue patients.
In its previously released data, the RESU indicated that it recorded 1,616 dengue cases in 2014; 2,872 in 2015, 2,878 in 2016 and 1,032 cases in 2017.
The PHO in earlier reports recorded 3,590 cases in 2013; 2,404 in 2012; 147 in 2011; 2,700 in 2010; 623 in 2009; 2,102 in 2008; 1,679 in 2007; 231 in 2006; 1,113 in 2005; 283 in 2004; 365 in 2003; 289 in 2002; 712 in 2001; and 70 in 2000.
Department of Health (DOH) 7 medical officer Dr. Ronald Buscato however has noted that the number of dengue cases has been on an uptrend at a national scale.
“Historically, every two years man gud mo-saka ang cases. Actually challenge sad na sa World Health Organization namo nga ‘please try to stop this trend’,” said Buscato in an earlier interview.
He said that “aggressive” measures such as the use of chemicals and misting operations should be implemented to combat the viral disease as 2019 could be the dengue “epidemic year” for the Philippines based on historical trend. (R. Tutas)