With 508% increase compared to last year
TACLOBAN CITY—A dengue outbreak in Calbayog City, Samar, has prompted Mayor Raymund Uy to declare a state of calamity across the city, effective Wednesday, August 21.
According to the City Health Office (CHO), Calbayog has recorded 422 dengue cases from January 1 to August 21, marking a 508% increase compared to the 83 cases reported during the same period last year.
The CHO also reported that at least two patients have died due to the mosquito-borne disease, though no further details were provided.
City Health Officer Dr. Sylvia De Guzman stated that 57 of the city’s 187 barangays have reported dengue cases, with nearly all 20 barangays in the city proper affected.
“Practically all the barangays in the city proper have dengue fever cases,” she noted during a media interview on Wednesday.
Dr. De Guzman highlighted that the surge in dengue cases was observed between July 14 and August 17, during which 249 cases were recorded.
She attributed the spike in cases to continuous rains during this period.
Mayor Uy explained that with the declaration of a dengue fever outbreak, made through a resolution by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city government can now utilize its 30% quick response fund to procure necessary medicines and equipment, such as sprayers.
“The barangays can also now use their funds to purchase medicines and supplies to address the rising cases of dengue in our city,” Uy said.
The mayor also announced plans to coordinate with the Department of Education to conduct cleanup drives in all schools across Calbayog, given that many of the dengue patients are students.
“We also urge all our residents to conduct extensive cleanup drives not only around their surroundings but also inside their homes, especially focusing on containers that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus,” Uy emphasized.
Additionally, due to the surge in dengue cases, a portion of the city’s sports complex has been designated as a dengue fever center, as most hospitals in the area are struggling to accommodate the growing number of patients.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
