San Fernando, Pampanga to host ASEAN Dengue Day

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

Tuesday 5th of June 2012

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga June 5 (PIA) -- The city government of San Fernando will lead the Philippine observance of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Dengue Day on June 15.

Carrying the theme, “ASEAN Unity for a Dengue-Free Community,” the event aims to raise the people's level of awareness of dengue and persuade them to fight the disease in their respective areas. It also intends to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates from dengue infection by preventing the transmission of the virus from the mosquito vector to humans.

Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said, “I am optimistic that this event will urge not only Fernandinos but also the whole country to seriously combat dengue.”

In Central Luzon alone, dengue cases have increased to 14 percent from January 1 to May 19, 2012 compared to the same period last year.

The province of Nueva Ecija has the highest number of reported cases with 28 percent, followed by Bulacan with 27 percent, or 5,172 cases.

Nueva Ecija has 1,462 cases; Bulacan with 1,418; Pampanga, 992; Bataan, 612; Tarlac, 397; Zambales, 285; and Aurora with six. And from these, a total of ten deaths has been reported from the provinces of Nueva Ecija with five, Pampanga with two; Bataan, Bulacan, and Tarlac with one each.

Expected participants for the said event are representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Department of Health (DOH) led by secretary Enrique Ona, various national government agencies, city government officials, city health officers, barangay officials and other groups coming from the different parts of the country. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)