Phillippines - Dengue

[Gert van der Hoek]

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Dengue cases up in Bukidnon

By Danilo V. Adorador III

DENGUE cases in Bukidnon province have now reached a five-year record high, pushing the regionwide figure despite a declining trend in other provinces in the past three months of the year.

As of Tuesday, 47 dengue cases have been recorded in Bukidnon, compared to only 12 in the same period last year, records from the Regional Epidemic Surveillance Unit (Resu) showed.


The deadly mosquito disease has already claimed the lives of three victims -- one each from Misamis Oriental town of Tagoloan and the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Valencia.

Although the Bukidnon figure was only a fraction of the 168 dengue incidents recorded in Misamis Oriental as of this month, it marks a steady growth above the average number posted in the past five years, said Dr. David Mendoza, Resu head.

?That the 47 cases are distributed in almost all of the province's municipalities augurs a wide-scale increase in dengue cases once a simultaneous outbreak occurs within the province,? said Mendoza.

"When you reach the alert threshold, then something is brewing," said Mendoza, adding Resu, an agency of the Department of Health (DOH)-Northern Mindanao, has already taken appropriate interventions to prevent an epidemic.

Meanwhile, dengue cases this year have already reached 256 as of this month--slightly higher than the 234 cases recorded in 2006.

However, cases in all other provinces except Bukidnon have gone down in the past three months, with Misamis Occidental cutting by half the recorded 32 cases in the same period last year.

Mendoza reiterated the DOH's 4S strategy to prevent a dengue outbreak:

"Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, seek treatment in case of high fever, self-protection through the use of mosquito repellant and other contraptions, and say no to indiscriminate fogging."

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2007/03/21/news/dengue.cases.up.in.bukidnon.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

DOH warns of year-round dengue outbreak;

Defensor bats for dengue vaccine funding

Tacloban City (10 April) -- Dengue-carrying mosquitoes have evolved, and an all-year round possibility of acquiring the dreaded Dengue disease is now close to reality.

This is the worried claim of the Department of Health (DOH) as they announced that the illness has broken seasonal patterns and that 880 dengue cases were reported in Metro Manila from January to March 15, the highest among 16 regions in the country.

The second highest number of dengue cases was reported in the provinces of Cavite , Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. They registered a record increase from last year’s 216 cases to 457 this year.

National Epidemiology Center Director Enrique Tayag warned that though there had been no rains, mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus could be breeding in water containers like basin and drums thus the reason for their year-round survival.

All over the country, 3,509 cases were reported from January to March 15, of which 32 died, according to DOH figures.

Meanwhile, former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor has called on lawmakers to provide funds to support the local development of anti-dengue vaccine.

Defensor said Congress should provide funds that will enable Filipino scientists to pursue research and development initiatives to find solutions for dengue.

The Team Unity senatorial candidate cited the efforts of New York-based SIGA Technologies Inc. in pursuing an antiviral program against dengue.

SIGA is developing vaccines and pharmaceutical agents to fight not only dengue but other potential pathogens as well.

Thailand has also developed the potential antibodies that might prove effective for human use against dengue by 2010. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p070410.htm&no=46

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

- Health office stabilizes dengue cases in Zamboanga City

Friday, April 13 2007 @ 12:59 PM BST

Health

The incidence of dengue fever in this city has been stabilized two weeks after the implementation of anti-dengue initiatives by the City Health Office (CHO).

City health officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos said the number of dengue admissions in hospitals decreased to 10 per week from 15 a week after the "Dengue Noise Barrage" and heightened information and education campaign were conducted.

Although lower than the previous weeks, Agbulos said the weekly dengue cases are still higher than the average eight cases per week during the same time last year.

Since January up to the first week of April this year, 154 dengue patients were admitted in hospitals in this city, Agbulos said.

He noted this number is 57 percent higher than the reported dengue cases during the same period last year.

Agbulos advised the public to continue their anti-dengue efforts like environmental sanitation, covering and weekly cleaning of water containers, collection and disposal of all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water and cleaning roof gutters of debris and leaves.

Agbulos said health officials were prompted to declare a dengue alert and undertake anti-dengue initiatives after they noted gradual increase in the number of cases in the past six weeks.

The city health office, in coordination with barangay officials, held last month a simultaneous noise barrage and massive clean up activities in eight barangays where the most number of dengue cases came from.

Agbulos stressed the effort to minimize if not eradicate dengue fever requires public support and cooperation. (PNA)

http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070413125932831

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Dengue cases cluster in 3 Metro Manila areas

Thursday, May 03 2007 @ 12:49 PM BST

Health

Clustering of dengue cases were noted in several barangays in three areas in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday as it advised the public to consistently observe the anti-dengue prevention and control.

The DOH latest Dengue Surveillance Report said the barangays with cluster of dengue cases are Catmon and Potrero in Malabon, San Jose in Navotas and Payatas, Quezon City.

The report also showed that the other areas in the country with clustering of dengue cases are barangays Payak in Bangui, Ilocos Norte and in Cabantian and Sasa in Davao City.

An area is said to have a clustering of cases if more than one dengue cases were reported in a household or when cases were reported in clusters of households.

From January to Aril 21, a total of 4,858 dengue cases were admitted in different sentinel hospitals nationwide. There were 54 reported deaths.

However, the DOH said this year's figure is 14.7 percent lower compared to same period last year or 5,696 cases with 78 deaths.

The regions with higher number of dengue cases this year compared to last year were II, IV-A (Calabarzon), V, VI, IX, X, and Caraga.

The DOH's four S dengue prevention and control include search and destroy all possible breeding of the mosquito vector; self-protection measures like the use of mosquito repellant and other protective gear; seek early consultation and management of cases and say no to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging can only be done if there is an outbreak of dengue.

While dengue is now considered as an all year-round disease, the number of cases increases mainly during rainy days when there are more breeding places of the mosquito.

The mosquito vector, aedes egypti, can breed even in bottle caps with stagnant clear water. (PNA)

http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070503124906315

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Dengue claims 2 in Iloilo - DOH

by T. Villavert

Iloilo City (24 May) -- Two persons in Iloilo province have died of dengue, a viral diseases transmitted through the bite of an infected aedes mosquito.

Dr. Fabian Mabasa, Regional Dengue/Malaria Coordinator of the Department of Health Region VI, said that the fatalities were from the municipalities of Oton and Barrotac Nuevo, Iloilo province.

Dr. Mabasa disclosed during the PIA-CATV program that the DOH VI record from January to May 2007, also showed that those who have been afflicted with dengue in the region are children aging from 0 to nine years old.

The regional Dengue/Malaria Coordinator explained that dengue is a viral disease common during rainy season and, is transmitted by the bite of an infected aedes mosquito.

Aedes mosquitoes are considered "day biters" with two peaks of biting activities, one at sunrise and another before sunset.

Dr. Mabasa advised the public to properly dispose of their tin cans, bottles, tires and other containers so that these do not become artificial mosquito-breeding places.

"Everybody's participation is very important in our drive against the disease," Dr. Mabasa said as he urged the public to make it a habit to sustain the cleaning of the surroundings and especially the inside portions of the house.

Dr. Mabasa suggested that for any signs of high fever and headache accompanied by anorexia, vomiting and abdominal pain, one should immediately consult with the doctor. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p070524.htm&no=39

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Dengue bites claim 16 in N. Mindanao

By Danilo V. Adorador III

DEADLY mosquito bites have already killed 16 people in Northern Mindanao, as health officials warned of more dengue cases with the start of the rainy season.

Bukidnon Province posted the highest increase of dengue cases compared last year, while Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro have a combined total of 520 cases -- the highest in the region.

From January to June 3 this year, Bukidnon registered 212 dengue cases, which is 152 percent higher than the figure recorded in the same period last year, data from the Regional Epidemic Surveillance Unit (Resu) showed.

Slight increases of dengue cases were also observed in Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Camiguin provinces, but these were negligible compared to the phenomenal rise in Bukidnon, which has already reached the alert threshold, said Dr. David Mendoza of the Resu.

An outbreak is possible in areas that have reached the dengue alert threshold--which is reached when cases are steadily growing for five years, said Mendoza.

Of the 16 deaths, six were recorded in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, five in Misamis Occidental while the rest is spread among Bukidnon, Camiguin and, Lanao del Norte provinces.

Meanwhile, dengue cases this year have already reached 1,076 as of Sunday, slightly lower than the 1,415 cases recorded in 2006.

However, Mendoza said the Resu, an agency of the Department of Health (DOH)-Northern Mindanao, was expecting the figure to double when the year ends.

"The rainy season has started, so we expect the breeding sites of mosquitoes to multiply. The DOH and the community must start cooperating at each other to prevent more dengue-related deaths," he said.

He reiterated the DOH's 4S strategy to prevent a dengue outbreak: "Search and destroy mosquito breeding sites, seek treatment in case of high fever, self-protection through the use of mosquito repellant and other contraptions, and say no to indiscriminate fogging."

Dengue is transmitted to humans by the deadly Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2007/06/05/news/dengue.bites.claim.16.in.n..mindanao.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

DOH urges practice of 4 o?clock habit vs dengue

Iloilo City (7 June) -- The Department of Health 6 (DOH 6) urged anew the public to diligently practice the Four-o?clock Habit (?4 o?clock habit?) to prevent and control the dreaded dengue fever with the onset of the rainy season and the subsequent increase in the number of dengue cases in the community.

The ?4 o?clock habit? is an initiative of the Philippine government that requests residents to practice the cleaning of their surroundings and draining water containers to prevent the spread of dengue carrier mosquitoes, in support of the Dengue Control Program as well as Malaria Control Program.

As of May 2007, the record of DOH 6 showed that there are already 508 reported cases of dengue in the region.

The DOH 6 figures also showed that a total of 1,820 dengue cases were reported by its various sentinel sites/health facilities in the region last year.

According to the DOH the diagnosis of the disease was based on the signs and symptoms manifested by the patients such as sudden onset of high fever which may last for 7 days, joint and muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes, nose-bleeding when fever starts to subside, abdominal pain, vomiting of coffee-colored vomitus and passage of dark-colored stools.

?If these signs and symptoms are present, patients should seek medical consultation to prevent further complications or death?, advised DOH 6.

June is observed as Dengue Awareness Month in the country. This year, it carries the theme, ?Puksain ang Kiti-Kiti, Sugpuin ang Dengue? that clearly demonstrates the need for the elimination/destruction of breeding places of Aedes mosquitoes, the carrier of the dengue virus which causes the infection.

Also, as part of the 4 o? clock habit, the DOH suggests to practice the following: clean water containers once a week, cover water containers to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, replace water in flower vases once a week, clean gutters, puncture or cut old tires used as roof support, and collect and dispose unusable tins, cans, bottles or other items that can hold water.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p070607.htm&no=54&r=&y=&mo=

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Dengue kills 3, infects 28 others in Hinoba-an

THREE people died while 28 others were hospitalized due to dengue fever in Hinoba-an town in southern Negros.

This was confirmed by Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer Luisa Efren Tuesday night.

Efren said Hinoba-an Municipal Health Officer Roenna Abilla reported to her Tuesday regarding the number of dengue fatalities and current patients in their town.

Hinoba-an is 199.4 kilometers south of Bacolod. ?Some of the dengue patients from Hinoba-an are now confined at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod while others are in Dumaguete City,? Efren said, adding that of the three fatalities, one died at CLMMRH while two others in Dumaguete City, Efrens said.

However, names of fatalities and patients are not yet available as of this posting.

Everything is sketchy at this moment, Efren said, adding that she will send a team of experts to Hinoba-an Wednesday to assess the situation.

Provincial Health Officer 1 Romulo Rhoel C. Mogul, on the other hand, said he sent Tuesday dextrose fluids to Hinoba-an for immediate use of dengue patients there.

Dengue is an infectious disease manifested by a sudden onset of fever, with severe headache, muscle and joint pains (myalgias and arthralgias ? severe pain gives it the name break-bone fever or bonecrusher disease) and rashes.

The dengue rash is characteristically bright red petechia and usually appears first on the lower limbs and the chest - in some patients, it spreads to cover most of the body.

There may also be gastritis with some combination of associated abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Some cases develop much milder symptoms, which can, when no rash is present, be misdiagnosed as flu or other viral infection.

The classic dengue fever lasts about six to seven days, with a smaller peak of fever at the trailing end of the fever (the so-called ?biphasic pattern?).

Clinically, the platelet count will drop until the patient?s temperature is normal.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/06/13/news/dengue.kills.3.infects.28.others.in.hinoba.an.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Dengue cases up 49 percent

Dengue cases in Negros Occidental increased from 140 cases last year to 209 this year, or 49 percent, Provincial Health Officer Luisa Efren said in a report released yesterday.

Three persons died of dengue in Hinobaan based on a report from Hinobaan Municipal Health Officer Rowena Abilla and a team from the Provincial Health Office has gone to Hinobaan to conduct an epidemiological investigation, she also said.

Based on the initial investigation, affected barangays are Bacuyangan, Brgys. 1, 2, 11, Pook and San Rafael, she said.

Of the 209 cases of dengue, Victorias City had the most at 54 followed by Bago City with 28, Hinobaan - 21, and Cadiz City - 12. There were nine dengue cases each reported in Kabankalan City, Sipalay City and Talisay City, Sagay City haid eight, Murcia - seven and there were five each in Ilog, La Castellana, and Manapla.

Pontevedra, San Carlos City, San Enrique and Silay City reported four dengue cases each while Pulupandan, Don Salvador Benedicto and EB Magalona had three each.

Candoni, Escalante City, Hinigaran, Isabela and Toboso had two dengue cases each, while Calatrava, Cauayan and Himamaylan City had one each.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2007/June/14/topstory8.htm

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Four dengue virus strains circulating in the country ...

Friday, June 15 2007 @ 08:47 AM BST


15 - Four dengue virus strains circulating in the country, DOH reports increase in cases

The four strains of virus causing dengue fever is presently circulating at the same time in the country, particularly in Metro Manila, making the disease hyper-endemic in the Philippines, an expert of the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

This as the DOH expert also reported a 6.8 percent increase in the number of dengue cases or a total of 7,361 with 73 deaths since January 1 to June 2 this year compared to the same period in 2006 of 6,695 cases.

This is the first time this year that the DOH reported an increase in dengue cases over that of last year's figure.

With this situation, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has already ordered all DOH hospital nationwide to re-establish their Dengue Express Lane for prompt medical attention of all cases.

Dr. Eric Tayag, DOH National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director, said the country has become hyper-endemic to dengue fever or wherein the number of cases will no longer be reduced to its previous level because of the circulation of the virus' four strains being carried and transmitted by the day-biting mosquito, aedes aegypti.

Unlike in previous epidemics when there was only one strain of dengue virus in prevalent, Tayag said, this year all four strains are circulating at the same time.

He explained that the presence of the four strains of the dengue virus can be attributed to travel or mobility of the people.

The DOH official further said another contributory factor to this is the warm temperature due to global warming which makes the mosquito vector hyper-active, or the condition when they need to feed more often.

"Blood makes the mosquito to lay eggs more often thus increase in mosquito population," Tayag said.

It was said that one aedes aegypti can carry at least two strains of dengue virus at the same time.

Dr. Tayag said that a person can get afflicted with dengue as much as four times since one can only get immunity from each strain.

He warned that every sequential dengue infection is more serious or chances are people will get ill more seriously on the second infection.

Of the reported January to June 2 dengue cases, Tayag said the increase were in the regions of Caraga with 2.8 percent, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Western Visayas, both 1.9 percent.

However, the highest number of reported dengue cases, he said, are in the National Capital Region (NCR) with 1,396, Calabarzon with 1,120 and Davao region with 771.

The clustering of dengue cases, the official said, were reported in Oton, Iloilo; Calalilan, Bukidnon and several barangays in Davao City and Cotabato City.

In Dengue Express Lane at all DOH hospitals, Tayag said, consulting patients with fever are immediately given medical attention, including tourniquet, to detect whether it is a case of dengue.

Also, the DOH advised the public to strictly observe the 4 S of the anti-dengue campaign, that includes search and destroy of places where the mosquito can breed like bottle caps, dish rack, cans, empty bottles, used tires and other containers collecting clean stagnant water; self protection measures like using insect repellant and others; seek early medical treatment and say no to indiscriminate fogging. (PNA)

http://www.bayanihan.org/html/article.php/20070615084728637

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

DOH: Dengue now 'hyper-endemic'; 6.8% surge in cases

The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered hospitals to reactivate "Dengue Express Lanes" due to a 6.8 percent upsurge in the number of dengue cases in the country.

According to a bulletin texted to ABS-CBN News, Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH-National Epidemiology Center, there have been 7,361 reported dengue cases from January 1 to June 2, 2007, compared to just 6,695 cases during the same period last year.

The top three regions with reported dengue cases, Tayag said, are the National Capital Region (NCR) with 1,396 cases, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) with 1,120 cases and Davao region with 771 cases.

Regions with significant hikes in dengue cases (compared to the same period in 2006) include Caraga with a 2.8 percent increase, and Calabarzon and Western Visayas, both posting a 1.9 percent increase.

All in all, the latest figures represent a 6.8 percent increase in the number of dengue cases in the Philippines.

Clustering of dengue cases has also been reported in Oton, Iloilo; Calalilan, Bukidnon and several barangays in Davao City and Cotabato City.

73 people have already died of dengue in the past five months.

‘Hyper-endemic’

Tayag said the situation is more serious this year because dengue fever has become "hyper-endemic" in the country which means it’s already too late for efforts to reduce the number of cases to its previous level.

This is because all four strains of the dengue causing virus are active and are being spread by the mosquito aedes aegypti at the same time; unlike last year, when only one strain of the virus was being spread.

Global warming, mobility

Tayag also said that global warming is a culprit in the surge of dengue cases. He revealed that warmer temperatures caused by global warming make mosquitoes more hungry for blood and therefore bite people more often in order to feed.

"Blood makes the mosquito to lay eggs more often thus [there is an] increase in mosquito population," Tayag said.

This increased feeding, in turn, completes and perpetuates a deadly cycle: more eggs laid results in more mosquitoes being born, which grow into more carriers of the deadly dengue virus strains.

Tayag said some aedes aegypti mosquitoes can carry two strains of the dengue virus at the same time.

Multiple infections

With four strains of the dengue virus as potential agents of infection, Tayag said that a person can become ill with dengue as many as four times.

This is because a person only gains immunity from one strain of the virus at a time.

He also said that subsequent dengue infections following the first would be more serious for the person getting the disease.

Regional threat

In an interview over DZMM, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said dengue is a serious health problem for the whole of Asia.

Duque said that every year the number of dengue cases in Asian countries has been doubling. He cited Indonesia in particular, which has already recorded some 75,000 dengue cases.

He also mentioned that dengue cases are on the rise in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

"Kaya mag-iingat po tayo ang tagumpay ng ating kampanya sa dengue ay nakasalalay sa pagkakaisa at pakikipag-tulungan ng ating mga mamamayan sa kanilang komunidad (Let’s all be careful because the success of our campaign against dengue depends on the unity and cooperation between residents within their communities)," he said.

Prevention

Duque also advised the public to strictly observe measures in its nationwide anti-dengue campaign. The anti-dengue campaign is now a year-round concern, since dengue cases are now reported during the wet and dry seasons.

The measures in the anti-dengue campaign include the following four "S-es":

Seek and destroy mosquito breeding places. These include all containers that collect stagnant water, like bottle caps, dish racks, cans, empty bottles and used tires.

Self-protection. This includes covering windows and doors in the house with fine-meshed screens, using mosquito nets, and rubbing insect repellent lotions or sprays onto exposed areas of one’s skin.

Seek medical treatment immediately. High fever lasting 2-7 days, rashes and/or bleeding, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain are some symptoms that could indicate dengue. The DOH advises the public to go to a Dengue Express Lane in a hospital, where proper diagnostic tests for dengue would be administered to a patient.

Say "no" to indiscriminate fogging. The DOH says that no fogging operations should be done in an area unless there are known dengue cases present.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=81510

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Dengue kills boy in Camarines Norte

06/15/2007 | 02:57 PM

Dengue killed a six-year-old boy Friday morning in Camarines Norte, a dzRH radio report said.

The victim was identified as Andy Rala, a resident of Bgy. Parang, Jose Panganiban town.

He was rushed to the hospital after having fever for the last three days.

Municipal health officers said the infection was on its first hemorrhagic stage when the boy succumbed to the virus.

The boy's father said his son has been vomiting black matter and his stool has also turned black in color before the boy died.

The father suspects his son to have contracted the virus from a mosquito from a nearby creek.

Health officers continue monitoring residents with fever for possible dengue infection.

The infection, spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, is characterized by sudden fever, severe nausea, rashes, muscle pains, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The Department of Health Bicol has listed around 400 dengue cases in Albay from the months of January to May.

Naga City, iin Camarines Sur tops the list for the most number of dengue cases followed by Daraga City, Albay, the report said.

The incident, however, is the first dengue case in Jose Panganiban town this year.

Jose Panganiban is a third class municipality in Camarines Norte and has a population of 46,064 (8,969 households). - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/46710/

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

An inside story from a mother

Espina: Dengue fever

By Mate Espina

THE increase of dengue fever cases in the province is truly alarming. The day before an outbreak was declared in Hinobaan, a child died of the disease in one of our private hospitals here. Toks Lopez who was right there when the doctor declared that the child has expired, recounted the pain the mother was going through, pleading in desperation to the doctor to revive her child. I remembered the time when both my sons acquired dengue at the same time and the sleepless nights we had until they were able to surpass it.

My niece, Erika, even had to go through two blood transfusion procedure when she had dengue. And worse, the fear does not end there as we were told that the second attack or that of a different strain can even be more fatal.

I couldn?t help crying everytime the medics would come to take blood samples from my kids to monitor their platelet count. Nanay who is known to be quite stingy, would send off someone to buy ice cream and even junk foods just so my children will eat something.

It is unfortunate that despite the massive advocacy for dengue, many people still take too long to bring their patients to the hospital to ensure their survival. Perhaps it?s also because we are so used to taking fever for granted especially during the rainy season and many think it is simply influenza.

While most of the victims are children, several years back, we had a number of deaths among adults. This was attributed to the high tolerance for fever and pain among adults who take time to avail medical intervention until it?s too late.

It?s easier among children because you immediately notice their lack of appetite and weakness coupled of course with the recurrent fever. I remembered how we had to cajole my sons to eat something, buying them any food they want, but to no avail.

Loss of weight was so rapid that I had to ask my husband then, to come home before it?s too late. And it was no exaggeration for he was shocked to see our children so thin in a matter of days.

That fear still exists and with the thought that a second strain can be more dangerous, I?ve always warned my children to inform me whenever they sense an onset of fever. It is better to be cautious than regret when it?s too late.

Dengue cases have become a normal occurrence at this time of the year and it is always safe to remind people continuously about the danger of this disease.

A couple of years ago, dengue has been elevated to one of the most important mosquito-borne viral disease affecting humans. International health organizations have monitored millions of people acquiring dengue fever annually and of these, hundreds of thousands develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever.

At present, there are medical advancements to abate the spread of dengue. Information sourced from the web states that attenuated candidate vaccine viruses have been developed, meaning the virus? virulence is reduced to make a vaccine.

With millions afflicted by the disease, a race to develop vaccines is being conducted in many countries but may not be available for another decade still.

And while it thrives in tropical countries, the spread of the disease has been rapid and has become global because of technology too brought about also by frequent travels. This is becoming alarming because new strains are developing.

For now, we have no recourse but to follow simple instructions to ensure dengue-borne mosquito does not thrive in our environment especially now that the rain is here and stagnant water are everywhere.

Advocacy against dengue must be strengthened and do not take any chance when you feel feverish. Early medical intervention might just save your life.

Let?s just the outbreak in Hinobaan will be contained there and won?t be elevated to an epidemic. Victorias and Bacolod health personnel should not wait for things to get worse in their areas and ask the media for help in their advocacy.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2007/06/27/oped/mate.espina.uncensored.html

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Report: Dengue claims 5 more lives in Cebu

06/29/2007 | 08:11 AM

Dengue claimed the lives of at least five more children in a town in Cebu province, even as local health officials there voiced "alarm" over the situation.

Radio station dzBB reported Friday that the fatalities were recorded in Minglanilla town in Cebu, a first-class town in Metro Cebu with 77,268 residents in 14,739 households.

It said the five children were aged 6 to 14 and came from the villages of Tulay, Poblacion and Pakigme.

Health officer Dr. Arensenia Veloso described the situation as "alarming" but stressed there is no epidemic of dengue, at least for now.

Veloso said there were 30 cases of dengue recorded from June 4 to 25 this year. The dengue cases included nine in Tungkop village alone. Other cases were recorded in Tulay, Poblacion and Pakigme.

In Negros, health officials recorded 572 cases and four deaths so far this year, including 88 in Hinoba-an town alone.

Provincial health officer Luisa Efren said fogging operations have been undertaken in some areas. She also asked for media assistance to encourage residents to clean their surroundings. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/48803/Report-Dengue-claims-5-more-lives-in-Cebu

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Phillippines - Dengue

Luzon

Dengue outbreak declared in Sorsogon villages

07/05/2007 | 08:33 PM

Sorsogon - The death of a dengue patient and the hospitalization of dozens of people prompted health authorities to declare Thursday a dengue outbreak here.

The lone fatality was identified as Leonida Logares, 65, of Genablan village. She died at the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital Wednesday afternoon.

At least five villages have been affected by the disease as local officials launched massive mosquito control to stem the spread of the disease, according to provincial health officer Dr. Edgar Garcia.

Health authorities said they have confirmed 36 cases out of about 92 reported from the Tabunan, Caloocan, Gadgaron, Camcaman and Genablan villages.

Residents have been told regularly clean their surroundings and health workers started information dissemination, authorities said.

Mayor Guillermo So said medicines have been bought for dengue victims as he assured residents that town officials will do their best to prevent the outbreak to turn into an epidemic.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/49798/Dengue-outbreak-declared-in-Sorsogon-villages