The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) 7 continued to record an uptrend in the number of dengue cases in Bohol, with the death toll for 2019 rising to 17 as of June 22.
The figure is 466 percent higher than the three recorded deaths in the same period last year, based on data released by the RESU.
Dengue cases from January 1 to June 22, 2019 also spiked by 591 percent, increasing from 222 in the same period in 2018 to 1,535.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) through its chief, Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot, earlier called for several local government units (LGU) to declare an outbreak as advised by the Department of Health (DOH).
The appeal however fell on deaf ears as none of the LGUs advised to declare an outbreak have complied.
According to the same RESU data, the most number of dengue cases was recorded in Buenavista at 206, with one death.
It was followed by Talibon, 129 cases; Tagbilaran City, 123 cases, four deaths; Inabanga, 109 cases, three deaths; and Loon 101 cases, four deaths.
Other dengue deaths were recorded in the towns of Sagbayan, two; Danao, one; Loay, one; and Baclayon, one.
Most of those affected by the mosquito-borne disease were in the 6-10 age bracket.
Cabagnot earlier said that there was a big possibility that the number of dengue cases would have not soared as much if the towns had declared an outbreak, noting that the LGU would have access to emergency funds if such declaration was made.
“Dunay silay access sa emergency funds. Kada lungsod dunay may ngana. So kung unsy gusto nilang paliton nga ipangontra nato sa dengue, mas dali sila makapalit kay emergency man ang nature kay outbreak na gud ang sitwasyon. Mao ng makapalit sila dayon kaysa mo agi pa ka og bidding, pwede e-question pud ka sa COA,” Cabagnot said in a previous interview.
Cabagnot said that an outbreak may be declared in Bohol if more than half of the towns in the province are deemed heavily affected by the disease.
The PHO meanwhile has acquired 11 misting machines to spray insecticide in areas that may have dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
However, these have been not enough to cover the needs of all the towns.
“Duhay mo gamit ani [machines], hospital og kadtong mga kalungsuran na dunay tag-as og kaso sa dengue.Sa hospital, gamit ni nila sa pagpanghinlo sa ilang operating room, delivery room ug sa ilang mga laboratories. Unya karon mura’g nanggi-ilog ni sila,” said Cabagnot.
Cabagnot said that while there have been no other measures suggested by the DOH to combat dengue, individuals should continue to practice the department’s 4S strategy against the dreaded disease which involves searching and destroying mosquito breeding places; securing self-protection; seeking early consultation; and supporting fogging and spraying in hotspot places. (A. Doydora)