When they attend Mass this weekend, Catholics in Cebu will recite a special prayer seeking divine intervention from the killer disease dengue. Radio dzBB’s Cebu affiliate on Thursday reported Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal ordered “Oratio Imperata" (mandated prayer) to be prayed after Sunday Mass, as the dengue scourge continues. Vidal also decreed that aside from the special prayer, the faithful must still follow health authorities’ advice to prevent dengue. These include keeping their surroundings clean and dry, to prevent dengue-carrying mosquitoes from breeding.
On Wednesday, radio dzXL reported health authorities in Cebu province have deemed as "alarming" the dengue situation in at least two villages in Cebu City. It said the Department of Health Central Visayas regional office identified the areas as Labangon and Guadalupe villages. DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said dengue cases in the two villages have reached an "alarming level" while seven villages have been considered hotspots. Madarieta said the seven villages in Cebu City include Apas, Lahug, Mabolo, Mambaling,Talamban, Punta Princesa and Tisa.
The dzXL report cited DOH records that showed at least 11 had died of dengue in Cebu City so far this year, out of 1,291 recorded cases since January.
