Dengue surge in Davao RegionBy Antonio L. Colina IVDavao City – The incidence of dengue in the Davao Region has more than doubled with 4,524 reported cases and 40 recorded deaths as of July 15, according to the Department of Health in Region 11 (DOH-11). Based on the data released by the DOH-11, Davao City had the highest number of cases with 1,648 cases and eight deaths, followed by Davao Oriental with 1,052 and eight deaths, Davao del Norte with 913 and 14 deaths, Compostela Valley with 620 and seven deaths, Davao del Sur with 291 and three deaths. This represented a marked increase from the 1,850 cases and seven deaths reported for the same period in 2015. Davao Region map (Photo courtesyEbol said that the increase was due to the rainfall patterns in the region, most especially when the country recently experienced a long dry spell because of El Nino, only to have an abrupt return of rains in the last two months. Antonietta Ebol, program manager of Dengue Prevention and Control of DOH-11, told Kapehan sa Dabaw Monday that the spike in the number of dengue cases was alarming, and that all governments units, most especially the barangays, should now take a more pro-active stance to counter dengue.

Source: Manila Bulletin July 18, 2016 14:03 UTC