 |
| Dr. Alinader Minalang, the chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) in Lanao del Sur, bares that they have recorded an increase in the cases of dengue in the province as compared to the data in the prior year. (Jason Casas/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur) |
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The province of Lanao del Sur has recorded an increase in dengue cases over the first six-month period this year.
Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang said that as of press time, the province registered 358 cases and nine deaths.
“Ito ay mas mataas doon sa last year na cases natin, the same period, January to July last year. Tumaas talaga ngayon,” he said.
[This is higher compared to our cases last year, the same period, January to July last year. It has really increased now.]
Minalang said they have already anticipated the increase taking into consideration the characteristic of dengue infection and that the spike of its cases is cyclical and happens every three to four years.
He added that another contributory factor was also the environment, noting that stagnant water was seen in some areas which were not disposed of nor cleaned, thus, making a place for the dengue virus-carrier mosquitos to lay eggs and reproduce.
With this, the IPHO chief stressed that they are now heightening their monitoring of the cases to respond accordingly.
“We have strengthened our surveillance unit so mas nababantayan natin ang cases ng mga nagkakaroon ng lagnat. Iyong mga iyan ay narerefer natin agad. Nakikita natin sa mga RHU at ospital, at natestest natin kaya mas mataas ang testing rate sa dengue because of our increased or improved surveillance system,” said Minalang.
[We have strengthened our surveillance unit so we can observe more cases of those having fever. Those were immediately referred to. We can see them in RHUs and hospitals, and be able to test them, that is why we have a high testing rate of dengue because of our increased or improved surveillance system.]
Currently, a high number of cases have already been logged by some municipalities in the province including Saguiaran, Balindong, and Tugaya, among others. Nevertheless, the IPHO underscored that the situation cannot be considered yet an outbreak. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
No comments