Dengue virus-carrying mosquito (File photo)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Pangasinan has recorded 195 cases of dengue from January 1 to May 16 this year.
The number is 86 percent lower than the 1,393 recorded in the same period last year, said PHO chief Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman, in an interview on Friday.
“The decrease in the number of cases can be attributed to the measures being taken by the local government units and the cooperation of the residents,” she said.
The year-round provincial campaigns for dengue prevention and data collected were being communicated to respective LGUs with high cases, she added.
“Most of the residents are still in their homes due to the pandemic hence they are able to clean their houses and surroundings. They have the awareness on cleanliness and advocacy to prevent dengue,” de Guzman said.
She said the 14 provincial government-run hospitals in the province have an express lane for patients with fever and body ache symptoms.
“If they have a fever and joint pains which could be leptospirosis, coronavirus disease 2019, or dengue, we have prepared an express lane for them,” she said.
De Guzman noted that there were no recorded deaths due to dengue during the given period this year as they have prepared blood bags as the bloodletting activities continue.
Among the areas being monitored by PHO due to high cases of dengue as compared to the other localities are San Carlos City, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Binmaley, Alaminos City, Lingayen, Bayambang, and Villasis.
Aside from dengue, de Guzman said the PHO is also closely monitoring leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases.
From January 1 to May 16, the province has five cases of leptospirosis with no deaths recorded.
The towns under the watch list for leptospirosis are Mangaldan, Santa Maria, Bolinao, and Binmaley. (PNA)
