Muntinlupa Mayor Biazon warns public on rising dengue cases

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon reminded the public to clean their surroundings as the number of dengue cases is on the rise in Metro Manila. 

“There is also information that dengue cases are on the rise. Please keep our surroundings clean,” said Biazon who reminded the public to ensure that there is no stagnant water. 

He said according to the Department of Health, the number of dengue cases this year increased compared to last year. 

Data from the City Health Office (DOH) showed that from Jan. 1 to July 7 this year, Muntinlupa tallied 91 dengue cases. Based on the city’s population of 553,146, Muntinlupa has a dengue attack rate of 1.65 per 10,000 people. 

Of the 91, Barangays Putatan and Alabang have 17 cases each, followed by 16 in Tunasan, 12 in Ayala Alabang, 10 each in Poblacion and Sucat, five in Cupang and two each in Buli and Bayanan. 

Health centers in Muntinlupa have Dengue Fast Lanes. There is also medical teleconsulting for patients who are afraid to leave their homes. 

Among the measures of the city government against dengue are clean-up drives, misting, fogging operations, larviciding, and spraying of spaces in isolation facilities. 

“Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has rapidly spread to all regions of WHO in recent years. Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

It added, “Dengue causes a wide spectrum of disease. This can range from subclinical disease (people may not know they are even infected) to severe flu-like symptoms in those infected. Although less common, some people develop severe dengue, which can be any number of complications associated with severe bleeding, organ impairment and/or plasma leakage. Severe dengue has a higher risk of death when not managed appropriately.”