Dengue cases up, but no vaccine worries in Pangasinan
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Dengue cases in the province have gone up in the first 11 months of the year compared with the same period in 2016, but the mortality rate is down, the provincial health chief said Monday.
“Cases of dengue patients is up by 15% this year compared to last year covering the period of January 1-November 27, but the deaths due to the dreaded disease is lower,” Provincial Health Office (PHO) head Dr. Ana De Guzman said.
In a report by the PHO in their “Dengue Surveillance” update (as of November 27, 2017) a total of 4,472 cases were reported, higher than the 3,824 cases reported last year. Deaths reported this year is 13 compared with the 17 in the same period last year.
De Guzman said the PHO is “strengthening the campaign for the 4S program of the government” and urges the public to do so.
The 4S stands for Search and destroy of mosquitos’ breeding ground; use of Self-protection measures; Saying no to indiscriminate fogging; and Seeking early consultation for fever.
De Guzman also confirmed “there were no recipients of the Dengvaxia vaccine in Pangasinan” because of lower dengue cases last year compared with other places in the country.
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur admitted last week that clinical data showed Dengvaxia – the first licensed dengue vaccine – could make the disease worse in people who had not previously been infected with the virus.