Baguio sees alarming spike in dengue cases


BAGUIO CITY – The City Health Services Office (CHSO) reported a steady increase in dengue cases from January to June 21 where about 306 confirmed cases were recorded.

The number is 90 percent higher than the 161 recorded in the same period last year.

City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said during the management committee meeting that one possible reason for the increase is poor container management such as improper disposal of cans, bottles, old tires, coconut shells, etc.

Another reason she cited was lack of water. People, she explained, tend to store water in containers such as drums, buckets and tanks without it being covered properly.

Galpo said the CHSO has launched a ‘Denguerra!’ Or ‘War Against Dengue’ campaign intended to encourage residents to find and destroy mosquito breeding grounds in their areas every Thursday, from 8 p.m. until 12 noon.

She added that dengue mosquitoes thrive in waterless and clear water as in plants and uncovered reservoirs.

In the past four weeks, a total of 26 of the 128 barangays of Summer Capital have had clusters of dengue cases.

The cluster of dengue cases includes Bakakeng Norte with 26 cases; Irisan, 24; Loakan Proper, 19; Bakakeng Central, 15; Kias, 14; San Luis Village, 13; SLU-SVP Housing Village, 13; Salt Road, 10; Lucnab, 8; Pacdal, 7; Camp 7.7; and Pinget, 6 cases.

Others are Country Club Village, 5 cases; Pinsao Proper, 5; Pinsao Pilot Project, 5; Dontogan, 5; San Vicente, 5; Lower Quirino Hill, 4; Gibraltar, 4; South Central Aurora Hill, 4; Fairview Village, 4; Balsigan, 3; Lower Rock Quarry, 3; Engineer's Hill, 3; Saint Joseph Village, 3; and Guisad Central barangay, 3 cases.