- City registers 1,954 cases, 16 deaths of mosquito-borne disease
THE CITY Health Office has reported 1,954 dengue cases and 16 deaths in Davao City from January to June this year.
During the iSpeak Media Forum on June 13, CHO head Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon said the cases decreased by 21% against the 2,486 for the same period last year. The fatality rate is at 0.8 percent, with patients ages 1 to 19 years old having the most cases.
Last April 18, according to Melodina Babante, head of CHO-Tropical Division, there were 1,140 confirmed cases with eight mortalities in Davao City from January to the first week of April.
The CHO-Tropical Division continues its programs and education awareness campaigns to prevent and combat dengue at the grassroots level.
“Nakita namo na murag gwapa ang response sa barangay so niubos atoang kaso. Nag ubos gyud, nag ubos siya by 21 percent compared last year,” he said.
The city council passed an ordinance mandating communities to create the “Barangay Mosquito-Borne Disease Task Force,” which also played a crucial role in reducing dengue cases. The task forces must search and destroy breeding places of mosquitos, conduct surveillance, and schedule fogging or misting.
As of the latest data, barangays Calinan, Buhangin, Tibungco, Tugbok, Bucana, Talomo, Toril, Indangan, Bunawan, Matina Crossing, and Cabantian had the most number of dengue cases. Bucana and Talomo have the highest cumulative cases with 90 and 80, respectively.
Ababon also urged the public to practice cleanliness, waste management, and dengue prevention during non-rainy days.
He explained that mosquitoes come out mostly in rainy seasons as water can help eggs hatch. The rain also allows the mosquitoes to breed and lay their eggs in stagnant water.
“Ang itlog dili mamatay. They can withstand heat for so many months. Tapos kung pasagdan nato nang mga tag tiwangwang na basura, dili hipuson, ma ulanan na, ma basa na siya, diha manggawas ang lamok,” he said.
File Photo: Bing Gonzales
