Health experts sound alarm over soaring dengue cases

MANILA – While nationwide attention is focused on the swine flu or A(H1N1) virus, health experts have sounded the alarm over the increase in the number of patients afflicted by dengue, a disease usually associated with the rainy season.

In particular, experts noted the alarming rise not only in the number of cases but also the deaths related to dengue in many provinces in the country.

Dengue is transmitted to humans through bites by the mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, which breeds in stagnant but mostly clear water.

Experts disclosed that one of the regions where the ailment has made major and alarming inroads is Cagayan Valley in the Northern Luzon highlands, which is composed of five provinces.

Dr. Lydia Depra-Ramos, the Cagayan Valley regional director of the Department of Health, reported that from January to June this year, the number of dengue patients is already fast approaching the 500 mark.

Ramos pointed out that the number represents a 14 percent increase as compared to the same period in 2008.

Of the total, three deaths, all Grade 3 students, were recorded in Santiago City in Isabela province, Ramos said.

As a result the Santiago health office declared a city-wide dengue outbreak because of the alarming increase of patients afflicted by dengue.

“Since last May, we had already seen a drastic and alarming increase in dengue cases as a result of clustering of dengue testing,” said Dr. Ramonchito Bayang, the city’s assistant health officer. “Because of this, we opted to declare a dengue outbreak.”

Also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, Bayang said people afflicted with the disease suffer from prolonged high fever, headache, stomach ache, vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite and skin rashes.

These are also symptoms associated with persons infected by the swine flu or A(H1N1) virus, according to Bayang.

Of the 181 dengue cases reported in May, Bayang said most were residents of densely populated “barangays” (villages) in Santiago City.

Meanwhile, alarm over the possibility of a dengue outbreak was also raised in the neighboring town of Cordon, south of Santiago City, reports said.

In just two weeks in May, officials said 17 residents have been downed by the disease in just one village.

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