SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The Antique Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is calling on the public to intensify cleanup drives as dengue cases in Antique surged to 1,117 including seven deaths in a week.
On the 29th morbidity week covering the July 14-20 period, IPHO recorded an additional 191 cases bringing the total cases to 1,117, an increase of 126 percent when compared to the 494 cases recorded in the same period last year.
“Our latest death reported is that of a seven-year-old female from Sebaste town proper last July 10,” said IPHO Information Officer Irene Dulduco in an interview Friday.
The other deaths came from Culasi town with five, and San Jose de Buenavista with one.
She said that they are campaigning for households to get rid of mosquito-breeding places such as stagnant water and even flower vases.
She added this capital town has also initiated a twice a week mobile information campaign to raise awareness on the dreaded disease and promote cleanliness of surroundings.
The top five municipalities with a high number of dengue cases are Culasi with 288; Tibiao, 137; Sibalom, 89; Valderrama, 82; and San Jose de Buenavista with 73 cases.
“All the other municipalities in the province have also dengue cases,” Dulduco said.
Last week, the Provincial Board returned the resolution of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) proposing to amend the declaration of the province under a state of calamity due to drought because of technicalities.
By amending, the council sought to expand its coverage to also include dengue. (PNA)
