PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Health officials here have reiterated calls for the public’s cooperation for an intensified fight against dengue, as cases of the mosquito-borne disease increased by more than 100 percent from January to the first week of August this year.
Records from the Nueva Ecija Provincial Health Office showed that a total of 1,989 cases have been recorded as of August 7 this year against the 968 during the same period of 2017, which shows an increase of 105.48 percent.
Of the total number of patients this year, 10 have died.
Records also showed that of the cases, 1,082 are male patients or 54.40 percent while 907 are females or 45.60 percent.
By age group, children aged 6 to 12 years topped the list of patients with 548 (27.55 percent); followed by 13 to 18 years old with 424 (21.32 percent); and 25 to 39 years old with 346 (17.40 percent).
Cabanatuan City, the trade and education center of Nueva Ecija, recorded the highest number of dengue cases with 355.
San Antonio town came in second with 216 cases and San Isidro is third with 211 cases.
The other areas in the Top 10 are Jaen, 151; Quezon, 92; Bongabon, 86; Cabiao, 84; Guimba, 78; Gapan City, 72; and San Leonardo, 69.
Of the deaths, two each came from San Antonio and Cabanatuan City and one each from Quezon, San Isidro, Bongabon, San Leonardo, Cuyapo, and Llanera.
Greg Umpad, provincial sanitary engineer, said the cooperation of the community plays a very vital role in the government’s campaign against dengue.
While their office has been distributing chemicals to prevent cases, he said the cleanliness and vigilance of residents come in higher importance.
“Nakakaalarma talaga kaya kailangan ay magtulungan ang lahat (It is indeed alarming. Thus, we need to help each other),” Umpad said. (Marilyn Galang/PNA)
