33 suspected dengue cases in a day

In Cotabato, thirty-three suspected dengue cases were reported in just one day in an evacuation site of Makilala in Cotabato province according to a barangay health official. Allegedly, dengue patients are mostly children and young adults up to 24 years old.

The dengue patients were staying at the evacuation site in Barangay Luna Norte. But they are residents of Barangay Bato in Makilala, which was hit by last year's earthquake. They are temporarily sheltered at the evacuation center after the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB) declared their area as high risk prone to earthquake.

Norma Bayaan, Barangay Health Worker (BHW) of Barangay Luna Norte said that the thirty-three suspected dengue patients showed symptoms of dengue and were advised to seek medical attention. Only 19 of the 33 were brought to the hospital and the remaining 14 chose to stay home for self-medication.

Photo credit: gmanetwork.com

“They just drink tawa-tawa concoctions as medications, however we still advise them to seek medical attention in our rural health unit so that they will be given proper medications,” Bayaan said.

Nineteen of the suspected dengue cases are being treated at the Makilala Medical Specialist Center, Midway Hospital, and some were rushed at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Barangay Amas.

Bayaan thinks that the dengue carrying mosquitoes might have bred in the nearby rubber plantation where there are plenty of coconut shell used to clasp the rubber cuplums.

Georgina Sorilla, Makilala Health Officer, already sent her personnel to conduct fogging in the area. She also appealed to the residents to continue observing the Department of Health's 4 s. They stand for “Search and Destroy” mosquito breeding places, “Secure Self Protection” from mosquito bite, “Seek Early Consultation” when signs and symptoms of dengue occur, and “Say Yes to Fogging.” This is to prevent the spread of disease to nearby villages in Makilala.