The Philippine Online Chronicles

Dengue cases, particularly in children, are threatening to “overflow” Metro Manila hospitals as the number of victims continues to soar.

GMA News reports that 66 dengue cases have been recorded at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center as of this morning. It added that two to three children have to occupy the same bed in the ward.

According to the Department of Health's (DOH) Disease Surveillance Report (Dengue), 69% of the 38,876 dengue cases as of July 23 this year occured in age brackets one to 10 (14,000 cases) and ages 11 to 20 (12,000 cases).

The DOH said that children are the most vulnerable to the Aedis Aegypti mosquito which usually bites during the daytime.

The health department also continues to urge the public to be vigilant against the dengue-carrying mosquitoes as it recorded 226 dengue-related deaths over the last six months.

“We have succeeded in bringing down the cases of dengue, but we must avoid complacency. Instead, our gains should encourage us to keep up the good work in combating dengue,” DOH Secretary Enrique Ona said.

“As the rainy season continues, we need to continue organizing clean-up campaigns in barangays to destroy every possible dengue breeding site," Ona added.

DOH records said that dengue cases are highest in Metro Manila with 9,229 cases, particularly in Quezon City (2,574), Manila (1,040), Caloocan (1,104), Pasig (804), and Valenzuela (664).

The agency also said they are closely monitoring dengue hotspots including Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur; Mabini, Pangasinan; La Trinidad, Benguet; and Payatas, Fairview, and Commonwealth in Quezon City.

“We’re now watching Visayas and Mindanao, because they have low numbers but in the next few weeks it will be critical because if there will be outbreaks, then our year-end dengue numbers will be higher compared to last year," said DOH National Epidemiology Center chief Dr. Eric Tayag.

The DOH is encouraging local government units to implement the 4s strategy: search and destroy all mosquito breeding sites, self-protection measures, seek consultation, and say no to fogging.