QC sees dengue cases hike anew

The local government of Quezon City has recorded an upward trend in dengue cases, noting a 30 percent hike in the past two weeks along with four new deaths.

In a statement Thursday, the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QC-ESD) reported 993 dengue cases were logged from 10 September to 7 October.

This marked a 30 percent increase in the 14-day period, averaging 40 cases per day.

Four new dengue-related deaths were recorded in the same period, bringing the total number of fatalities this year to 30, resulting in a case fatality rate of 0.34 percent.

The QC-ESD said the most recent deaths were recorded in Barangays Batasan Hills, Doña Imelda, Krus na Ligas and Roxas. The fatalities involved three males and one female, ages 4 to 14, who showed warning signs and were confirmed positive through NS1 antigen testing.

The patients were admitted to the hospital two to four days after the onset of symptoms.

QC-ESD also cited that over the past four weeks, 60 percent (591 cases) of those diagnosed with dengue were school-aged children.

Of the total cases, 509 were dengue without warning signs, 472 were cases with warning signs and 12 were severe dengue cases. Males accounted for 57 percent of the cases.

Barangay Batasan Hills recorded the highest number of cases at 82, followed by Barangay Commonwealth at 61, Barangay Holy Spirit at 59, Barangay Tatalon at 46 and Barangay Pasong Tamo at 44.

Among local hospitals, Quezon City Hospital logged the highest number of cases at 180, followed by Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital at 179 and the National Children’s Hospital at 138.

The QC-ESD reminded residents to “seek medical attention immediately at the first sign of symptoms,” stressing that early treatment is critical in preventing severe dengue and saving lives.

Warning signs for dengue include fever lasting more than two days; severe abdominal pain; persistent vomiting; bleeding gums or nosebleeds; weakness or drowsiness; and difficulty breathing.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health announced a goal of having zero dengue-related deaths by 2030.