(File photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The city health office (CHO) has recorded the first mortality of dengue hemorrhagic fever for this year.
Dr. Cathy Garcia, assistant city health officer, said in a statement Monday that the first dengue mortality was a seven-year-old boy from Barangay Bolong, east of this city.
Garcia did not say when the child died except that he was among the 64 cases of dengue they have recorded from January 1 to 19.
Garcia advised the parents to immediately seek medical consultation once their children manifest symptoms of dengue to avoid further complications.
Dengue causes high fever and any of the following signs and symptoms: headache; muscle, bone, or joint pain; nausea; vomiting; pain behind the eyes, swollen glands; and, rash.
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas in the world. If left unattended, it can be fatal.
Garcia advised the residents to practice the “4S” habits to prevent the occurrence of dengue in the community.
These include: search and destroy mosquito breeding places; self-protection measures; seek early consultation; and, say no to indiscriminate fogging. (PNA)
