Zamboanga City health officials are reporting a increase in dengue fever cases prompting them to warn of an imminent outbreak.
Image/USDA
Based on data from the City Health Office, dengue cases for the months of April and May were significantly higher, registering 130 and 188 cases, respectively, as opposed to 97 and 127 cases reported last year for the same time period. Most cases are reported in children.
For June, there are already 90 reported dengue cases. A total of 161 cases were documented for June 2016.
The barangays, or villages with the most number of dengue cases are San Roque, Tetuan, Talon-Talon, Pasonanca, Calarian, Sta. Maria, Mercedes, Putik, Tumaga, Guiwan, and Divisoria.
City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos said the trend of dengue cases puts the City near the alert threshold and preventive measures must be implemented.
“If we will not do something about the prevention and control of dengue, we expect an outbreak coming in on July, August, or September. That’s why we are preparing for the city-wide clean-up day on June 24,” Agbulos said.
To date, a total of five deaths due to dengue have been documented for 2017.
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