TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, July 14 (PIA) -- Males who are 11-15 years old from Talibon, Tagbilaran City, Ubay, Sagbayan or Dauis have a slightly higher probability of getting afflicted with dengue, a report from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the day-biting Aedes Egypti or Aedes Albopictus, commonly called tiger mosquitoes due to its white stripes.
With 26th Dengue Morbidity Week observed from June 27 to July 3, it was reported that of all who have had the disease this year, males between 11-15 years old have more chances of contracting the mosquito-borne disease.
An unprecedented over a thousand percent increase or 1,230 dengue cases were reported this year by the different reporting units in Bohol from Jan. 1 to July 3.
The same period last year would only show 107 dengue cases and one death.
The PHO report by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) showed that in Talibon, for example, from zero dengue cases last year, this year the town had 195 dengue cases.
The same is true with Bien Unido which recorded 27 cases this year; Loboc, 22; Duero, 21; Valencia, 15; President Carlos P. Garcia, 9; Batuan, 9; Bilar, 8; Lila, 7; and Dimiao, 3.
The said towns did not have any dengue case reported in 2021.
Carmen, which recorded the lone dengue death last year, logged 24 cases this year.
Last year’s top 10 towns with dengue cases were spared this year.
Tagbilaran city which had 17 cases last year now recorded 138 cases, or a 711.8% increase this year.
Dauis which had 76 cases last year has 40 cases this year, while Clarin had six cases in 2021 but reported 40 cases this year.
Inabanga and Jagna both had six dengue cases last year, but this year, Inabanga logged 43 while Jagna, 28.
Candijay, Tubigon, and Baclayon each had five reported dengue cases last year, but this year, Candijay recorded 12 cases, Tubigon with 31, and Baclayon with 13 as of the first week of July.
Local health officials called on barangays to activate their respective Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue and initiate anti-dengue drives as soon as possible.
Health authorities reminded barangay officials to use the 4S strategy as a guide in their anti-dengue campaigns.
4S stands for Search and destroy mosquito breeding places; Secure self-protection from mosquito bites by staying away from areas frequented by mosquitoes like dark rooms, alleys and corridors, wearing bright colored clothing and using insect repellants; Seek immediate medical attention upon the early signs of dengue; and Saying yes or no to fogging depending on the dengue situation in the cluster areas.
Indiscriminate fogging will only drive the mosquitoes to other areas by dispersion, authorities said.
Family members with high fever, usually going above 39 C and accompanied by headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, pain behind the eyes, swollen glands and rashes, should be taken to a health care center for appropriate medical attention. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
