By R. G. Antonet Go/PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has expressed alarm over the high number of cases of dengue in the region, amounting to 1,850 cases from January to March 14.
Dr. Dennis Dacayanan, chief of DOH-9 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), noted that the figure is higher than the 946 cases registered in the same period in 2018.
Dacayanan said this city has the highest number of cases at 802, followed by Zamboanga del Norte with 502; Zamboanga del Sur, 251; Zamboanga Sibugay, 193; and Isabela City, 102.
He said they have established dengue fast lanes in hospitals to easily detect dengue cases, equipped with kits for nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen tests, a routine and rapid diagnostic test for dengue virus infection.
He said they are waiting for the arrival of additional 2,250 NS1 kits to augment the hospitals’ supply.
Dengue fever is a viral disease that usually affects infants and young children. The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which lay eggs on clear and stagnant water, are the carriers of the disease.
Its signs and symptoms include sudden high fever; joint and muscle pains; skin rashes; nose bleeding; vomiting of coffee-colored matter; and dark-colored stool.
Anyone who shows these signs and symptoms is advised to seek early medication.
