CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) said that dengue express lanes have been established in all district hospitals in the province to facilitate the quick treatment of patients.
PHO chief Dr. Marcelo Jaochico said this initiative came with the continuous increase in the number of dengue cases in several villages here, including this city.
As this developed, Jaochico urged the people to clean their households and backyards to deprive the mosquito dengue carrier of breeding sites.
The PHO chief explained that dengue is no longer a rainy-season disease but a year-round threat.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office will conduct a summit on the prevention of dengue on July 30-31.
Dr. Leonita Gorgolon, DOH regional director, said the summit, to be attended by the local officials in the region, will focus on the destruction of the source of the dengue-carrying mosquito called aedes aegypti.
The Department of Health-Center for Health Development-3 (DOH-CHD3) recorded a 12-percent increase in dengue cases in Central Luzon from January to June 30 this year compared to the same period last year.
Of the region’s seven provinces, Nueva Ecija was ranked first with 1,785 cases; followed by Bulacan with 1,745; Pampanga with 1,167; Bataan, 677; Tarlac, 488; Zambales, 348; and Aurora, 31.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection which leads to a flu-like illness. Its symptoms may appear within three to 14 days after being bitten by the said mosquito.
(Jenna V. Lumbang, PIO – Pampanga)
