InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Eleven towns and two cities in Pangasinan are now under tight watch by health authorities due to the increasing cases of dengue in their respective jurisdictions.
This was disclosed before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) by Dr. Anna De Guzman, provincial health officer, as she revealed statistics showing that dengue this year increased from last year's by 15 percent.
Records of the PHO showed that there were 628 cases already registered from January 1 to June 11 this year as compared to 536 registered last year for the same period.
Lingayen leads local government units (LGUs) under tight watch when its dengue cases this year rose by some five or six times over the number of cases registered last year.
Statistics released by the PHO showed that the number of dengue cases registered in Lingayen from January 1 to June 11 last year was only 11 as compared to 64 registered for the same period this year, or an incredible 500 to 600 percent increase.
However, De Guzman said cases in Lingayen were registered in January, February and March as no cases were registered from April to May which are considered hot months, and then from June 1 to 11.
She said the PHO is looking into the possibility that there are adults dengue carrying mosquitoes in Barangay Libsong East, Lingayen where most of the 64 cases that were registered came from.
That is why, she said, they are meeting with the barangay captain of Libsong East to ask for his cooperation in the conduct of fogging operation there very soon.
De Guzman was called by the SP today (Monday) to learn from her how safe are the schools all over Pangasinan from dengue since classes just opened last June 4.
As a precaution from the disease, De Guzman advised pupils and students to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants as their extra protection from dengue.
She also said in schools made as billeting areas for athletes who participated in the last Palarong Pambansa,in May in Pangasinan, that they can install the treated mosquito nets given their schools to protect children from dengue-biting mosquitoes.
Remember, she said,that the dengue-biting mosquitoes attack during day time, De Guzman said.
However, Acting Vice Governor Jeremy Agerico Rosario, a doctor by profession, has confirmed that there is a dengue-carrying mosquito now that bites its preys during day time and night time.
Thus, the need for a 24-hour vigilance against dengue not only in schools but also at home to ensure continuing protection from the dengue.
De Guzman said other towns under tight watch due to increased incidence of dengue are San Carlos, Urdaneta and Alaminos cities, and in Bugallon, Calasiao. Malasiqui, Sta. Barbara Urbiztondo, San Manuel, Bayambang, Umingan, Tayug, Rosales and Villasis.
However, she reported that dengue was down in Agno. Mangatarem, San Jacinto, Binalonan, Laoac, Pozorrubio and Sison.
In Dagupan, which is not under the political jurisdiction of Pangasinan, the number of cases last year and this year were the same--19 cases.
