Dengue fever and hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) posted increases in the city last April, according to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) of the City Health Services Office under Dr. Rowena Galpo.
The CESU said there were 33 reported cases for dengue fever from April 1 to 30, which is a four-fold increase compared to the same period in 2021.
No death was reported this year. One death was reported last year.
The age range of patients is between five months to 58 years old and 69.7 percent of the cases were female.
Clustering of cases was reported in barangays Bakakeng Central, San Luis Village, and Balsigan.
HFMD also rose six-fold with six cases reported from April 1 to 30, compared to 2021. There were no fatalities reported.
The age range of cases was between two to three years old with equal number of males and females.
There was no clustering and fatalities reported. Cases were from Irisan, Lourdes Subdivision Proper, Camp 7, and Bakakeng Central.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Galpo advised residents to be on guard against the dengue disease by practicing the 4S strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding places; self-protection measures (use window screens, mosquito nets, wear protective clothing, use insect repellents); seek early consultation; and say no to indiscriminate fogging.
HFMD, on the other hand, is a viral disease most common in children and spreads through close personal contact, coughing or sneezing, or through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces.
It presents as fever, oral lesions, and rash on the hands, feet, and buttocks. It can be prevented by observing handwashing, disinfection, good hygiene, and isolation of infected persons. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
