Dengue upsurge
WITH the threat of continued upsurge in dengue cases due to the wet weather, the government ought to take concerted action to address the situation.
It will be recalled that in 1998, the deadly disease claimed the lives of nearly 1,500 people in Asia, including poverty-stricken Philippines.
In the view of various quarters, there’s that urgent need to focus more on measures aimed at destroying the breeding places of mosquitoes.
Reports said that from January to September 6, the country registered 208,965 dengue cases, equivalent to 5,5875 cases weekly.
The figure was 68 percent higher than the 2023 tally of 124,157 during the same period, said the Department of Health (DOH).
“It is crucial that we take immediate and concerted action to address the situation brought about by the rainy season,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
Dengue is transmitted by a bite of the white-spotted mosquito known as Aedes aegypti, whose favorite breeding place is stagnant water.
In many places across the country, notably in depressed areas, people live with many cans, bottles and flower vases around their homes.
Certainly, the mushrooming number of dengue cases nationwide worries the government and the Filipino people, particularly the poor.
But we believe the authorities are in a position to address the problem, with the all-out support of the public.
