COTABATO CITY — Dengue cases in Maguindanao decreased by 12 percent in 2017, though with 11 reported deaths, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported Tuesday.
Dr. Tahir Sulaik, IPHO-Maguindanao chief, said that dengue cases across the province last year totaled 771 cases, around 12 percent lower than 864 cases in 2016.
“The ages of our dengue patients ranged from three-month-old babies to 88 years old,” Sulaik said.
Among Maguindanao’s 36 municipalities, Shariff Aguak registered the highest number of cases at 129; followed by Datu Paglas at 86; Datu Odin Sinsuat (61); North Upi (59) and Buluan (40).
Without giving specifics, Sulaik said 11 patients died from severe dengue particularly in the lowland municipalities.
“With this, we urge the people in the province to bring family members and relatives to the nearest hospital at the earliest sign of dengue symptom,” he said.
Sulaik appealed to Maguindanao constituents to continue the practice of the “4 p.m.” habit that focused on cleanliness of the surroundings, specifically on the breeding areas of Aegis Aegypti, the dengue-carrying mosquito.
“Open water containers should be closed with lids as roof gutters and nearby drainage canals should always be checked from stagnant waters,” he said.
Sulaik also promoted the practice of 4S that is to search and destroy, self-protection, seeking of early consultation and saying no to indiscriminate dengue fogging operations as dengue-carrying mosquitoes would just transfer or return after a day or two. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
