By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Health Office reminded all residents in the province to keep their surroundings clean to allow no room for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Over the past two years, Dr. Josephine Ruedas reported that Ilocos Norte has maintained zero casualty in dengue until later last month when two died due to dengue virus. The casualties were from the towns of Solsona and Dingras.
"We must be extra vigilant, especially since we are in the period of rainy season,” said Ms. Ruedas.
In view of this, the PHO led a series of fumigation in affected areas to drive away dengue-carrying mosquitos.
Ms. Ruedas explained even just a small cap of a bottle can be a breeding site of mosquitoes.
According to the Dengue Disease Surveillance Report of the Department of Health, health officials reported more than 10,980 dengue cases from January 1 to February 10, 2018.
The DOH report also stated that it has recorded 51 deaths for 2018.
But the number of dengue cases was 41.38% lower than the 18,731 cases reported within the same period last year, the report said.
The report also showed that 23 percent of those afflicted with dengue were 10-14 years old.