Dengue: Another health concern in Central Visayas

Dengue cases could become a public health crisis in Central Visayas on top of the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic. This is as the region logged 3,177 dengue cases from January to May 7 this year.

Cebu City alone has seen a more than 1,000 percent increase in its dengue cases after recording 422 cases from January to May this year, a dramatic increase from 36 cases logged in the same period in 2021.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health in Central Visayas showed a higher number with Cebu City logging 708 dengue cases, including 11 deaths, from January to May 7.

If the coronavirus disease is dangerous for children, contracting dengue is also dangerous. Most infected individuals were children, but adults are not immune to dengue.

Dengue fever is spread to humans by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes; however, dengue cannot be transmitted from one person to another (like Covid-19) but a mosquito can be infected if it bites a person with dengue. Cebu City Health Department head Dr. Jeffrey Ibones has said the possible symptoms of dengue include fever, body malaise, abdominal pain, vomiting, and in severe cases, bleeding.

Time and again, it has been proven that the best defense against dengue is a clean environment and a good immune system.

Mosquitoes that carry dengue thrive in stagnant water. Residents must get rid of water in plastic covers, rubber tires, flower pots, glasses, pet’s water bowls and other containers as these are possible breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Communities in Cebu and other parts of Central Visayas must not wait for the government to clean the surroundings. Everyone must contribute to prevent dengue cases from spreading further.