By Christine Fabro
In the thick of the COVID-19 battle, Pangasinan is being reminded to be vigilant after the number of dengue cases in the province recently increased.
The Pangasinan Provincial Health Office (PHO) Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit saw an uptick in dengue cases in the province, with a 97% increase in cases recorded this year.
Based on the latest data released by PHO on Saturday (July 31), there were 2,634 recorded dengue cases in Pangasinan from January to July 26 this year, almost double compared to last year’s 1,334 cases recorded over the same period.
However, the mortality rate was down to 9% from last year’s 11%.
Dengue vaccine
During President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on July 26, he urged Congress to enact a law creating the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) welcomed the endorsement, saying the VIP shall work on vaccines for measles, dengue, and typhoid fever, among others.
In a statement on July 27, DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña said the DOST plans to start the construction of the VIP building next year, and to finish the building by 2023. – jlo
