Dengue Fever In the Philippines is Getting Scarier

Base on The report of Department of Health Dengue Fever is now over the 40,000 mark, 48% Higher than 2009. I think its much scarier than AH1N1, I hope the Government can find a fast solution to this big problem.

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported that dengue cases nationwide now reach 40,648 from January to 31 July 2010. The figure is 48% higher than last year’s 27,473 for the same period. There were 328 deaths recorded this year with case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.8%. Last year, there were 293 deaths (CFR at 1.1%).
  Most of the cases came from Central Mindanao (5,259 cases), Western Visayas (4,511), Eastern Visayas (4,086), CALABARZON (4,034), Southern Mindanao (3,875), Northern Mindanao (3,603), and the National Capital Region (3,452).
 Ages of cases ranged from less than a month to 95 years old. Majority (52%) of the cases were male. The most affected age group were the 1-10 years and the 11-20 years, while there were more deaths recorded in the less than one year age group and the 1-10 years age group.
 Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona disclosed that outbreaks were detected in the municipality of Gasan in Marinduque and Barangay Banica, Lawaan in Roxas City, Capiz.
  Hotspots were observed in Barangays Minoyan, Murcia, Carabalan,  Aguisan in Himalayan City and Concepcion, Bubog in Negros Occidental; Barangays Bata, Singcang, Banago, Tangub, Taculing, Pahanocoy, Felisa, Villamonte and Mansilingan in Bacolod City; and Barangays Lanot, Malibili, Tiza, and Bolo in Roxas City. A hotspot is defined as clustering of cases with increasing number in the past four weeks. On the other hand, clustering of cases occur when there are three or more cases in a barangay in the past four weeks.
 Clustering of cases were noted in the province of Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Ilocos Sur in Ilocos Region; Cagayan in Cagayan Valley; Zambales, Aurora, Tarlac, and Bulacan in Central Luzon; Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas in CALABARZON; Marinduque, Palawan, and Mindoro Oriental in MIMAROPA; Albay. Masbate and Camarines Sur in Bicol Region; Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, and Bacolod City in Western Visayas; Bohol, Negros Oriental, Cebu in Central Visayas;
There were also clustering of cases in  Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Leyte in Eastern Visayas; Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur in Western Visayas; Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and  Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao; Davao City, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental in Southern Mindanao; Sarangani Province, Cotabato City, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and South Cotabato in Central Mindanao; Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao; Baguio City, Mountain Provicne, Benguet anmd Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region; Agusan del Sur in CARAGA and Metro Manila at the National Capital Region (NCR).
At the National Capital Region, most of the cases are from Quezon City (754), Manila (606), Kalookan (372), Navotas (227), and Valenzuela (221). Other cities include Malabon (182), Mandaluyong (171), Marikina (165), Pasig (144), Pasay (126), Makati (119), and Parañaque (114).
“The increase in dengue cases can be attributable to the El Niño phenomenon the country is experiencing,” Ona said, adding that continuous rains will also be responsible.
 The health chief reminded the public that dengue, although an all-year round disease, is more common during rainy days when there are more potential breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. To prevent dengue, Ona advised the public to destroy all mosquito breeding sites like old tires and tin cans, always clean roof gutters, replace water in flower vases regularly, use mosquito nets or protective clothing. He also stressed that fogging may be done only in outbreak areas. 

source: www.doh.gov.ph

Dengue Treatment and Prevention

Dengue is an acute fever caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of an Aedes Argypti mosquito. The mosquitoes are found indoors, in the closet and other dark places. Outdoors they rest in a cool and shaded areas. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only a danger during the rainy season (when eggs hatches faster), but the whole year through. The World Health Organization (WHO) says, "The female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water containers in and around the homes , and other dwellings. These eggs will develop, become larvae, and further develop into adults in about 10 days."
Incurring in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world, dengue fever is severe, flu-like illness that affects infant, young children, and adults. It spreads rapidly, and in the event of epidemic, it will affect a large number of people and eventually cause the loss of lives. Another cause for alarm: More than 2.5 billion people (or 40 percent of the world's population), including 1 billion children lives in areas where there is a risk of dengue transmission.
Dengue takes 2 forms: dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Although both should be taken seriously, dengue fever can be seen the lesser evil. It's symptoms includes high fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes, muscles and joints.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), onthe other hand is a more severe form. Leading and sometimes shock occurs. It is most serious in children, it can be fatal. In addition to the symptoms of dengue fever, WHO enumerates the following symptoms of DHF:

• Severe, continuous pain in the abdomen.
• Bleeding from the nose, mouth and gum's and skin bruising.
• Frequent vomiting with or without blood .
• Black stools.
• Excessive thirst and dry mouth.
• Pale, cold skin.
• Restlessness and sleepiness

WHO describe how the dengue virus invades the body, saying, after the entry of the virus in the person, it multiplies in the lymph glands in the body. The symptoms develop when the virus has multiplied in sufficient numbers to cause the symptoms. This happens generally about four to six days average after infecting the virus.


Treatment

The centers for disease control and prevention in the United States says there is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. However, proper and early treatment can relieve the symptoms, and prevent complications. If you suspect dengue:

1. Give analgesics (pain relievers) with paracetamol. Avoid close containing aspirin, as well as ibuprofen, since these can increase the risk of bleeding.
2. Rest and plenty of fluids are also recommended.
3. Even if you're not sure that it's dengue, it's best to consult a physician. A trip to the hospital is a must if vomiting and severe abdominal pain develop in the first 24 hours after the fever declines.
4. For DHF, fluid replacement therapy is and option for treatment if the condition is detected early. However, this frequently require hospitalization.

Prevention:

There is only one way to avoid dengue, prevent mosquito bites, especially during the daytime when dengue mosquitoes attack. According to WHO, highest biting intensity is about 2 hours after sunrise and before sunset. Since there is no way to tell if a mosquito is carrying the dengue virus, we must keep ourselves protected from mosquito bites. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Dispose or destroy containers in which water easily collects bottles, plastic bags, tins, used tires, and so on.
2. Spray insecticides in your home regularly. Spray Eco-friendly and health friendly insecticide.
3. Use repellent every time you head outdoors. Follow the instructions on the package you are using .
4. Install screens on your windows to keep mosquitoes out.
   
5. Outdoors, use mosquito coils which can provide up to 8-10 hours protection from mosquitoes.
6. If you want convenience, opt for a liquid mosquito repellent, which can last up to 30 nights.