Philippines Provincial Health
Officer Ayr Altavas recently announced that there has been a steep increase in dengue fever cases in Capiz.
As of Feb. 13, there was a 101 percent rise in dengue fever cases over the same time in 2015. Of 167 dengue fever cases in the area, 162 were located in Capiz. The remaining five cases were found in other provinces, but the patients were brought to Capiz hospitals for care.
“Last year’s cases during the same period was only 83,” Altavas said.
The significant majority of the newly infected patients were between 1 and 20 years old. There were also a few patients who were over 50.
Local residents are encouraged to renew their prevention efforts to avoid bites from mosquitoes infected with the virus.
The Department of Health has also encouraged the public to be wary of Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit the dangerous Zika virus.
