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Catanduanes now under state of calamity due to dengue

By Mar Serrano

September 3, 2019, 8:54 pm

<p>The Aedes Aegypti mosquito that carries the dengue virus. <em>(File photo)</em></p>

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito that carries the dengue virus. (File photo)

LEGAZPI CITY -- Catanduanes province has been placed under a state of calamity due to a spike in dengue cases during the first eight months of the year, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said on Tuesday.

Acting provincial governor, Vice Governor Shirley Abundo, signed on Monday the resolution passed by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan declaring the province under a state of calamity.

Under the resolution, the province can now draw funds from its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to finance programs and projects designed to fight dengue, which has breached the outbreak threshold.

Dr. Hazel Palmes, PHO chief, said reports from the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (PESU) indicate that it has recorded 1,928 dengue cases with three deaths from January to August 30 this year.

Palmes said the incidence is 1,669 percent higher than the 109 dengue cases recorded during the same period last year.

She said overcrowding of patients was also observed in at least six hospitals in Catanduanes with a capacity ratio ranging from 22 percent to 97 percent.

PHO record indicates that Virac, the capital town, has the highest number of cases with 583, followed by San Andres, 496; Caramoran, 184; Viga, 181; Bato, 155; Pandan, 139; San Miguel, 58; Bagamanoc, 44; Gigmoto, 35; Panganiban, 27; and Baras with 26 cases.

The PHO said 315 villages of the 11 towns are considered “hotspots” due to the high incidence of dengue.

Palmes said dengue cases had upswing and downswing trends from January to June but in July, the trend continued to go upward because of the onset of the rainy season which would continue until the yearend. (PNA)

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