Cebu tops the number of dengue cases in Central Visayas from January to July, this year but the volume of cases has gone down compared to the same period in 2009 placing the province in fourth place in the nationwide ranking in dengue incidence for 2010.
Dr. Jocelyn Abellana, dengue program coordinator of the Dept. of Health (DOH-7) bared that from January to July 9, 2010, the total dengue cases in the region is 2,461 with only 18 deaths or a 0.7 percent case fatality rate.
Of all the provinces in Central Visayas, Cebu Province has the highest volume of dengue cases from January to July 9 where cities are the most affected areas due to the dense population, Abellana said.
The top five cities with the highest incidence of dengue are Cebu City with 546 cases and six recorded deaths followed by Talisay City with 132 cases and one death while in third place is Tagbilaran City, Bohol with 121 cases and zero death, this is said.
Danao City and Lapulapu City in Cebu came in fourth and fifth place with 105 and 102 dengue cases, respectively, but both registered zero death, Abellana reported.
The rest are Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental with 59 cases, Naga City, and Mandaue City in Cebu with 57 and 55 cases, respectively while only one town was included which was the Municipality of Asturias which registered 52 cases and one death, this was learned.
Abellana said that worst cases recorded within 10 years or from 2000 to 2010 were 2007 and 2009. The year 2007 registered 7,108 cases while last year witnessed 7,123 cases, the DOH-7 official added.
With the onset of the rainy season, the DOH-7 is strengthening its campaign on the 4S namely: 1) search and destroy water-filled containers to prevent the Aedes Egypti mosquito from breeding 2) seek early referral with recurring fever 3) say no to fogging as this is only done during outbreak and 4) seek personal protection or clothe your children with pants and long-sleeves to ward off mosquitoes.
