Dengue cases in Pampanga rise

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Resu) has recorded an increase in the number of dengue cases in Pampanga province.

From January 1 up to August 14 this year, the Resu tallied a total of 230 dengue cases in the province with 1.7 percent or four fatalities.

However, Resu Epidemiologist Jessie Fantone clarified that the figure is still far to hit the alert threshold or epidemic stage based on their “Disease Surveillance Update.”

This figure has surpassed the previous record of the same scope with 197 cases, three death cases with only 1.5 percent of case fatality ratio (CFR).

Based on the data, Pampanga also ranked third with the most number of cases in Central Luzon, followed by Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

He said only two separate years — 1998 and 2003 — were able to hit those levels when the dengue cases went up to more than 1000.

He also said Resu’s previous data mostly came from government hospitals where only few reports of cases are submitted.

Since the implementation of Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR), hospitals are required to submit reports.

“Siguro ‘yun ang dahilan kung bakit marami ang naitalang cases ngayon pero hindi parin iyon nakakaapekto sa kabuuan. Hindi rin iyon ibig sabihin na tumataas talaga ang bilang,” he said.

In the same Resu report, Angeles City got the most number of cases with 94, followed by Mabalacat and the City of San Fernando.

Nevertheless, the four death cases were in the towns of Apalit, Minalin, Mexico and Sta. Ana. The fatalities are from 1 to 30 years old, the age bracket mostly afflicted with the dreaded virus.

But Fantome explained that dengue affects all age groups.

“Dahil siguro rural places sila na kung saan konti lang mga hospital kaya hindi sila agad naagapan. Unlike sa Angeles City at dito (City of San Fernando), kabila’t kanan ang mga hospital,” he explained.

Fantone said health officials expect more cases, considering that the rainy season is not yet finished. (Marlon P. Beltran)

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on August 24, 2010.