DOH traces the cause of 112 dengue cases in Dingalan

DINGALAN, Aurora, July 19, 2011-The Department of Health (DOH) is now trying to trace the cause of dengue cases that hit this town where Mayor Zenaida Padiernos and other officials declared the whole town under the state of emergency.

Padiernos said that the DOH is now tracking the exact mosquitos breeding place along the barangays of Paltic, Aplaya and Poblacion after the 112 kids have become the victims of dengue in the last two weeks.

“The municipal government is now conducting fogging operations in the affected areas and also now using their 5% calamity fund for the immediate assistance to the villagers although the fund is only more than 600 thousand pesos,” Padiernos said. “We also conducted information dissemination regarding the disease,” she added.  

Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer and concurrent Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Action Officer Maria Edwina Miranda said that cleaning and fogging operation are being done to prevent and to control dengue in her town, adding that the victims’ financial assistance were given to them by the local government unit.

“Our barangay officials are also in the process of giving pamphlets, leaflets and other important information materials to fight dengue,” Miranda said.

Dingalan Community Hospital Chief Julie Ann Mandapat revealed that dengue fever otherwise known as break bone fever is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.

She said that dengue symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.

Fogging operation at Brgy. Paltic, Dingalan.
(Photo Courtesy: Ronald Leander, GMA7) 

In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting to bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.

Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the Aedes genus, principally aegypti.

In her briefings, she said that the virus has four different types; infection with one type usually gives lifelong immunity to that type, but only short-term immunity to the others. Subsequent infection with a different type increases the risk of severe complications. As there is no vaccine, prevention is sought by reducing the habitat and the number of mosquitoes and limiting exposure to bites.

Treatment of acute dengue is supportive, using either oral or intravenous rehydration for mild or moderate disease, and intravenous fluids and blood transfusion for more severe cases. (Jason de Asis)