By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY - Health officials in Davao Region raised an alarm after the number of dengue cases in the first-half of the year doubled compared to the same period in 2018.
(Flickr / Oregon State University / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a report of the Department of Health - Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (DOH-RESU), Davao region recorded 3,495 dengue cases, with 15 deaths, from January 1 to July 15 this year, which is higher compared to the 1,970 dengue cases, with nine deaths, recorded last year.
Of the total deaths this year, six were from Davao City, four from Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos); one in Don Marcelino town, Davao Occidental; one in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, one in Lupon town, Davao Oriental; one in New Bataan, Compostela Valley; and one in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
Davao City registered the highest number of dengue cases at 1,630, followed by Compostela Valley with 701 cases, Davao Oriental with 562 cases, Davao del Norte with 464 cases, Davao del Sur with 114 cases, and Davao Occidental with 24 cases.
The DOH earlier said in a statement that Davao Region is among the regions being monitored nationwide after it exceeded the alert threshold or the number of dengue cases with a “potential outbreak.”
Davao City Health Officer Josephine Villafuerte urged the public to cooperate with the government agencies in implementing mitigation programs, particularly in ensuring cleanliness in their communities.