Health officials have observed a worrying rise in suspected dengue cases in Catanduanes, especially in the towns of Bato, Bagamanoc and Virac.
According to a source at the Provincial Health Office who requested anonymity, the increasing number of cases have been noted in three Bagamanoc barangays – Poblacion, Antipolo and Sta. Teresa – with some of the stricken residents admitted in local hospitals.
In Bato town, the same trend was observed in barangay Tamburan, with four cases recently reported in the populous village of Cabugao. Some of those infected by the mosquito-borne disease are now confined at the Bato Maternity and Children’s Hospital.
In the capital town of Virac, three cases each have been recorded in Cavinitan, Calatagan Proper and San Pablo.
The source, however, clarified that not one of the current cases are considered serious or severe, with most of the cases treated as outpatients.
It may be recalled that last November 2024, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa warned against the possible increase in the number of dengue cases following the series of typhoons that struck the country.
He said that the water dumped by the six successive tropical cyclones could be breeding places for mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.
As of Nov. 16, the number of dengue cases nationwide has reached 340,860 or 81 percent higher than the figure recorded during the same period last year, with a total of 881 fatalities.
In the latest figures available at the DOH Center for Health Development – Bicol, a total of 2,408 dengue cases have been reported from Jan. 1, 2024 to October 26, 2024, for a 163 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Camarines Sur led the six provinces with 1,144 cases, followed by Camarines Norte with 416, Catanduanes with 361, Sorsogon with 211, Albay with 160, and Masbate with 111. Five cases treated in Bicol came from a neighboring region.
The virus caused 11 deaths as of said date: five (5) in Camarines Sur, three (3) in Sorsogon, two (2) in Catanduanes, and one in Albay.
A dengue report requested by the Tribune last month from the PHO for the province of Catanduanes covering the period from the start of the year until the second week of October showed a total of 893 dengue cases, which is 154 percent higher than the 351 cases reported for the whole 12 months of 2023.
More than half of the total – 468 – was reported during the months of July and August, the report furnished by Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Hazel A. Palmes stated.
The capital town of Virac accounted for 57 percent of the total with 517, followed by San Andres with 81, Bato with 51, Pandan with 48, San Miguel with 44, and Bagamanoc with 37.
An unconfirmed report last November alleged that a child in Toytoy, Caramoran died due to complications arising from dengue.
A team from the Provincial Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (PESU) was supposed to conduct field investigation of the surge in dengue cases at the coastal barangay but the visit was apparently cancelled after no more cases were reported.
This was followed by reports of increasing cases in Panique, Caramoran, as well as in Pandan and Bagamanoc, although details were not available at the time.
Dengue is a disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which typically bites in the morning and lays eggs in clean, stagnant water, such as in flower vases, old tires, or empty cans.
These mosquitoes often hide in dark areas of the house. While dengue cases occur year-round, they are most common during the rainy season, from May to November.
Common symptoms of dengue include sudden high fever lasting 2 to 7 days, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes, weakness, skin rashes, nosebleeds as the fever subsides, abdominal pain, vomiting, and black stools.
The DOH Bicol CHD has urged the public to practice the 4S strategy against dengue: 1S – Search and Destroy mosquito breeding sites, keep surroundings and areas clean, and cover water containers; 2S – Self-Protection Measures (Use of light-colored clothing and long-sleeves top, long pants and socks during daytime, application of insect repellent, use of screen door and windows or insecticide-treated screens/curtains for doors and windows as physical barrier and chemical intervention); 3S – Seek early consultation (if fever persists for two (2) days, immediately consult your Primary Care Provider); and, 4S – Support fogging in outbreak areas only.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently raised its coverage for severe dengue cases to ₱47,000, effective November 1, 2024, compared to the previous P16,000.
Earlier this year, PhilHealth also raised its coverage for dengue cases, with or without symptoms, from ₱10,000 to ₱13,000, effective February 14, 2024.
Under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, individuals who are not PhilHealth members or who have inactive memberships can still access dengue benefits.