DENGUE. The Pangasinan Provincial Health Office urges residents to clean their surroundings and to go to health centers or hospitals if they experience symptoms of dengue fever. The province recorded 21 dengue-related fatalities in 2023 and cases rose by 12 percent year-on-year to 3,308. (PNA file photo)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Health authorities are urging Pangasinenses to seek medical help immediately when experiencing symptoms of dengue fever after the province recorded 21 deaths and cases increased by 12 percent in 2023.
Data from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed that there were 3,308 dengue cases last year, 12 percent higher than the 2,956 cases in 2022.
Most were recorded during the rainy season, or from August to October.
Twenty-one deaths were recorded last year, up from nine in the previous year, with the youngest aged eight months old and the oldest 69 years.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Cielo Almoite, in an interview Monday, said the fatalities were already experiencing late stages of dengue and were referred to the hospitals late.
She said indigent patients should not worry about hospital bills since they can avail of the benefits under the Universal Health Care law.
The 14 provincial government-run hospitals have dengue fast lanes to immediately attend to cases with dengue symptoms, she said.
Almoite said PHO is strengthening its advocacy in the villages for the implementation of "4S" in fighting dengue -- destroy mosquito-breeding Sites, Secure self-protection measures, Seek early consultation, and Support fogging or spraying in areas with clustered cases. (PNA)
