KIDAPAWAN CITY, (PNA) –The Department of Health in SOCCSKSARGEN region reported that 11,020 cases of dengue have been reported in the region since January 1 up to this date.
Of this number, 56 have died.
Jenny Ventura, speaking for the DOH’s Center for Health Development 12, said on Tuesday that the number of cases to date was 233 percent higher as compared to the same period last year.
North Cotabato remained to be the leading area where dengue cases was high with about 27 percent of the total number of dengue recorded.
South Cotabato and General Santos City had 24 percent of the 11,020 cases.
According to Ventura, 56 persons have died due to dengue in the region which is composed of the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Koronadal, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Cotabato and General Santos.
Data from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance unit of CHD-12, showed that General Santos City recorded the highest number of fatalities with 21. In the same period last year, General Santos had only 15 deaths due to dengue.
Coming next is Sarangani province with 13 deaths and North Cotabato with 11. Last year, Sarangani only had four fatalities while North Cotabato had 12.
South Cotabato had eight fatalities this year.
North Cotabato tops among the five provinces in the region with 3,010 cases as compared last year which it only recorded 1,300. South Cotabato came in next with 2,603 and General Santos City with 2,602 cases.
In 2012, the region had only 3,407 dengue cases while this year, it rose to 11,020 cases.
”This is alarming, very alarming that is why we urged the local government units and the public to help destroy breeding sites of dengue carrying mosquitoes,” Ventura said.
She said CHD-12 is pushing for the “Four o’Clock Habit” and the “ABKD” or “Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue”.