CEBU CITY – Acting Mayor Alvin Garcia said Friday the city government is mulling the declaration of a public health emergency due to continued rise in dengue cases.
At a press conference, Garcia said the City Health Department (CHD) reported 597 dengue cases with eight deaths from January to August.
The city recorded only 27 dengue cases and no deaths during the same period last year, according to CHD head Dr. Daisy Villa.
“We are contemplating placing Cebu City under public health emergency to caution the people and at the same time, find solutions to stop the further rise of dengue cases,” he said.
Villa the eight dengue-related deaths were of various ages.
The Department of Health (DOH)-Central Visayas registered a total of 15,394 dengue cases with 35 deaths from January to August this year.
DOH-7’s surveillance report said Cebu province logged the highest number of deaths in the region this year -- reaching 14 out of the 4,592 dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Aug. 17.
Bohol province has the highest number of dengue cases with 5,165 cases and 11 deaths.
Negros Oriental recorded 2,695 dengue cases with six deaths, while Siquijor has no recorded deaths but has 637 cases. (PNA)