by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 10 (PIA) – The City Health Office revealed that dengue cases in the city reached a total of 774 by the end of April, prompting Mayor Celso Lobregat to declare an outbreak yesterday during an emergency press conference.
Lobregat said the figure drastically surged last month with 234 cases, breaching the outbreak level of 225 cases.
“Our figure from the City Health Office is now 774, with April having the most cases from January. Because of this, I am officially declaring an outbreak here in the city”, Lobregat pronounced.
Out of the figure, there were nine deaths recorded according to City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos.
The mayor added that as of yesterday, there are now 42 cases of dengue for the month of May, bringing the total cases to 816.
Lobregat has also authorized the release of emergency fund to help CHO in its campaign against the disease.
“CHO is asking for P553,000.00 fund that will be used to combat dengue”, the chief executive said.
Lobregat said part of CHO’s campaign is the intensified clean up drive in all barangays, especially the top 10 barangays infected by dengue. CHO will also be conducting selective fogging in some areas.
Dr. Agbulos appealed to the public to cooperate in their battle against dengue.
“I appeal to all to help in preventing the escalation of the situation. Every barangay especially those affected to conduct clean up drive and intensify search and destroy operations of possible mosquito breeding grounds”, Agbulos said.
Agbulos said a city-wide clean up drive will be conducted on Saturday (May 12), to help contain the disease.
He added that they will have a meeting today with hospital officials, health facilities, Department of Health, and other concerned agencies to map out measures to counter the surge of dengue cases. He will also convene the barangay officials of the 20 most affected barangays in the city to help contain the problem.
Mayor Lobregat has also appealed for more blood donation for the victims.
“We also appeal for more blood donations. With the situation, there should be continuous blood donations daily”, Lobregat stressed.
CHO also mentioned the top barangays affected by dengue, namely Guiwan, Canelar, Tugbungan, Tumaga, San Roque, Zambowood, Sta. Maria, Putik, Mercedes, Cabatangan, Lumbangan, Sangali, Rio Hondo and Tetuan.
Of these barangays, Tumaga has the highest number of cases recorded with 63, followed by Tugbungan with 57, Guiwan with 51 and San Roque with 47 cases.
However, if based on attack rate, which is the number of cases against total population, Guiwan tops the list with 2.81 attacks per 1,000 population, followed by Canelar with 2.35, Tugbungan with 2.19, Tumaga with 2.09, San Roque with 1.88, and so forth.
Agbulos also pointed that 8 of the barangays mentioned have rivers and other bodies of water which explains the high rate of attacks.
He echoed Mayor Lobregat’s call to clean all surroundings especially those areas with stagnant water.
Department of Health representative Dr. Josh Brillantes called on the public not to be afraid and instead heed the call of the city government to clean their surroundings.
“Act now and act fast to reduce the incidents of dengue and also mortalities”, he urged the public.
Brillantes also said that they will do everything to prevent another possible outbreak in June or July the usual months were cases of dengue soar high due to the rain.
“Hindi Tayo Patatalo. (We will not be defeated.) We will still be in control of the situation”, he assured the public. (MVC/PIA9-ZBST)
