Dengue virus-carrying mosquito (PNA file photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The number of dengue cases in Central Luzon has significantly dropped by 63 percent from Jan. 1 to Aug. 5 compared to the same period in 2022.
During the online “Talakayan, Kumusta Central Luzon” program on Tuesday, Entomologist III Jeffrey V. de Guzman of the DOH-Central Luzon presented a dengue surveillance update, which showed that the region has 9,607 cases as against 25,644 in the same period last year.
The region’s seven provinces – Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales – all showed a decrease in the number of infections.
Likewise, the number of deaths due to dengue declined by 46.7 percent to 28 from 60 during the same period.
“Sa ngayon, hindi tayo naalarma dahil base sa surveillance data ay bumaba ang kaso at kung sakali man ay magkaroon ng pagtaas ng kaso ay handa naman ang mga hospitals at we have dengue fast lane (At present, we are not alarmed because based on the surveillance data, the number of cases dropped. And in case of an increase in infections, our hospitals are ready and we have a dengue fast lane),” de Guzman said.
Despite the drop in cases, he said they are closely monitoring the situation to alert the concerned areas up to the barangay level.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant against dengue, not only during the rainy season as the dengue mosquitoes can infect anyone throughout the year.
De Guzman also urged the public to practice the "5S" dengue prevention strategy, which stands for Search and destroy, Self-protection, Seeking early treatment, Saying yes to fogging or spraying, and Staying hydrated. (PNA)
