The Regional Office of the Department of Health in Bicol has warned that dengue cases in the region has more than doubled compared to last year and cautioned the public to observe cleanliness in the surroundings to minimize breeding places for mosquitoes that transmit the dreaded disease.
DOH Region V epidemiologist Aurora Teresa Daluro said that dengue cases in Bicol from January to July last year totaled only 227 but the number jacked up to 506 for the same period this year or an increase of 123% Camarines Sur has a total of 290 dengue victims this year.
Last year six persons died from dengue in Bicol but this year only three werelisted to have succumbed to the disease.
The DOH Regional Office said the occurrence of typhoon last year could have been one of the causes for the increase in the number of dengue cases because they resulted in more stagnant bodies of water which are breeding places for mosquitoes.
The DOH had called on residents to observe cleanliness not only within their homes but also in their surroundings to deprive mosquitoes of their breeding places.
The DOH regional office also said it was organizing barangay anti-dengue brigades which will encourage people to take accountability for their own health.
