CEBU CITY, Cebu, June 6 (PIA) -- The Department of Health Region 7 (DOH7) has reported an increasing number of dengue cases in Central Visayas for the first five months of 2022.

DOH7 has so far recorded a total of 4,088 dengue cases with 34 deaths from Jan. 1 to May 21 this year.

This year’s dengue cases are 373% higher compared to the same period of last year with 864 cases and four deaths.

According to DOH7, majority of the dengue cases in the region are from the three highly urbanized cities: Cebu City with 866 cases and 11 deaths, followed by Lapu-Lapu City with 669 cases and six deaths, and Mandaue City with 261 cases and two deaths.

Records from DOH7 also showed that in the same period, Cebu island recorded a total of 3,185 dengue cases and 32 deaths; Bohol with 619 cases and no reported death; Negros Oriental with 234 cases and two deaths; and Siquijor with 16 cases and no reported death. 

During the Kapihan sa PIA interview on June 3, DOH7 Medical Officer III and Regional Program Manager Dr. Ronald Jarvik Buscato, raised some of the factors that contributed to the rising number of dengue cases in the region, one of which is the trend of home gardening amid the pandemic.  

“What we have noticed also nga during the quarantine period, mas na engganyo man gyud ang mga tawo nga magbuhi og tanom, unknowingly nga kasagaran sa mga tanom naa ni silay access nga maka store og water. And also, factor pud ang mga nilabay na mga major activities kay katu na time nawala ang attention sa public to check and clean their surroundings” said Buscato.

He also noted that based on historical data, the country will usually record higher dengue cases every three years.

In 2019, a total of 31,925 dengue cases and 154 deaths were recorded nationwide.

“If we look back sa niagi nga outbreak last 2019, ang atong mga nakita nga problema before naa pa gihapon siya karon, like for example, during the summer months, ang mga tawo man gyud especially in areas nga walay klaro nga supply og tubig, they tend to store water which is an ideal breeding site sa mga lamok,” said Buscato.

DOH7 is now conducting case investigations and surveys through their respective Rural Health Units across the region to assess the situation and determine other reasons that caused the high number of dengue cases here. 

Local government units are also encouraged to hold various programs and activities that would raise awareness about dengue as a public health problem in line with this month’s observation of Dengue Awareness Month. (RGC/PIA7)