QC declares dengue outbreak
Fifty-eight percent of the reported cases involve school-aged children (5 to 17 years old), while 44 percent are children ages 1 to 10.
Text size
Share
Daily TribuneFifty-eight percent of the reported cases involve school-aged children (5 to 17 years old), while 44 percent are children ages 1 to 10.
Share
The Quezon City Government, through its City Health Department (QCHD), has declared a dengue outbreak as cases continue to surge in the city. Ten QCitizens, including eight minors, have already succumbed to the disease.
In a press conference Saturday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said she has mobilized all assets and resources to ensure that programs and services are established and accessible to QCitizens to curb the outbreak.
“Our declaration of a dengue outbreak ensures that we are on top of the situation, and we are doing everything we can to protect our residents from this deadly disease, especially our children,” Mayor Belmonte said.
From 1 January to 14 February, the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) of QCHD recorded 1,769 dengue cases, nearly 200 percent higher than last year.
Fifty-eight percent of the reported cases involve school-aged children (5 to 17 years old), while 44 percent are children ages 1 to 10.
To address the late diagnosis of dengue, all 66 QC Health Centers will be open during the weekends, Saturday and Sunday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), to accommodate all possible dengue patients.
A fever express lane in all the city’s health centers and hospitals has also been established to swiftly attend to citizens with a fever, one of the symptoms of dengue. Free dengue test kits are available in health centers and hospitals.
Barangay spraying teams, under the guidance of sanitary inspectors, are conducting chemical controls such as spraying and fogging in areas with dengue case clusters. Larviciding is also being done in water bodies.
CESD also called on residents to protect themselves from dengue by using mosquito repellent and wearing protective clothing like long sleeves and pants, especially for children.
Used containers, tires, pots and other items that collect water should be emptied to prevent stagnant water from becoming mosquito breeding grounds.
Barangay officials and school administrators are also being briefed regarding the dengue outbreak to ensure full cooperation.
