CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Northern Mindanao endured a significant increase in dengue and measles-rubella (MR) cases from January to June, according to the Department of Health Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao (DOHCHD-NM).
Jasper Kent Ola, OIC Research, Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU), said that from January 1 to June 22, there were 8,485 dengue cases, and 244 measles-rubella cases in the region, which is significantly higher compared to the 6,267 and 101 cases respectively, during the same period last year.
“There were 8,485 dengue cases reported from January 1 to June 22, which is 35.38 percent higher compared to the same period last year. Of the reported cases, 85.23 percent, or 7,232 were admitted to our health facilities, and 38 or 0.45 percent of deaths were recorded,” Ola said.
Furthermore, RESDRU-10 noted that of the six provinces, Bukidnon had the highest number of recorded cases with 3,313 or 39.05 percent of the regional total, while Misamis Occidental had the highest attack rate, affecting 22.49 people per 10,000 population. Additionally, the majority of the cases recorded were male, at 52.09 percent, with the most affected age group being 5–9 years old.
For the other provinces, Misamis Oriental ranked next to Bukidnon in dengue cases with 1,577, followed by Misamis Occidental with 1,446, Lanao del Norte with 934, Iligan City with 560, Cagayan de Oro City with 507, and Camiguin with 148.
Also, the Health department clarified that unlike other diseases, including measles, people infected with dengue do not automatically develop immunity as there are four known strains of the virus – of which three are most common, based on the RESDRU’s surveillance.
“The reason why one can get dengue four times is there is no cross-immunity. There are four strains, and getting infected with one strain does not develop automatic immunity for the other three. Unlike measles, having only one strain, immunity is lifelong,” DOH-CHDNM Regional Director Sulpicio Henry M. Legaspi, Jr. said.
To avoid dengue, the health department emphasizes the importance of environmental sanitation and the practice of the 5S, which stands for search and destroy mosquito breeding sites; self-protection measures; seeking early consultation; supporting fogging; and sustaining hydration. They also urge those with fever to seek immediate medical attention at rural health centers or any hospital to avoid complications that might lead to death.
Meanwhile, RESDRU recorded a significant increase of 141.58 percent in measles-rubella cases from January 1 to June 22 in the region compared to the same period last year. Of the 244 measles-rubella cases, health facilities admitted 161, or 65.98 percent, and recorded three deaths, or 1.23 percent. The majority of those affected are male, accounting for 54.51 percent, and the most affected age group is 1-4 years old.
Records for measles-rubella cases also show that Lanao del Norte has the highest number of cases recorded, at 133, or 54.51 percent, with the highest attack rate affecting 1.70 persons per 10,000 population. Cagayan de Oro City follows with 37 cases, Misamis Oriental with 20, Bukidnon with 19, Iligan City with 18, Misamis Occidental with 14, and Camiguin with 3 cases.
Other notifiable diseases
Aside from dengue and measles-rubella, three other notifiable diseases are part of the top 5 monitored by RESDRU: influenza-like illness, typhoid fever, and acute bloody diarrhea. However, unlike dengue and measles-rubella, these diseases have recorded a decrease in cases compared to previous years.
For influenza-like illness, the region recorded 7,265 cases from January 1 to June 22, which is significantly lower by 44.55 percent compared to 13,103 cases during the same period last year. Of the recorded cases, health facilities admitted 1,100, or 15.14 percent, and recorded one death, or 0.01 percent.
51.14 percent of those infected are female, and the age group most affected is 1-4 years old. Among the provinces, Bukidnon recorded the highest number of cases at 3,534, or 48.64 percent, and the highest attack rate, affecting 22.49 persons per 10,000 population. Misamis Oriental ranks second with 1,015 cases, followed by Misamis Occidental with 910, Iligan City with 758, Cagayan de Oro City with 527, Lanao del Norte with 480, and Camiguin with 41.
Regarding typhoid fever, the region recorded a decrease of 8.70 percent, with 1,123 cases compared to 1,230 cases the previous year. Of the recorded cases, 95.99 percent, or 1,078 patients, were admitted to health facilities, with no recorded fatalities. The majority of those infected are males, at 52.72 percent, with the most affected age group being 5–9 years old.
Bukidnon recorded the highest number of cases and attack rate at 817, or 72.75 percent, and 5.20 persons per 10,000 population, respectively. Iligan City followed with 83 cases, Misamis Occidental with 75, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental with 60 cases each, Cagayan de Oro City with 20, and Camiguin with 8.
For acute bloody diarrhea, the health department, through its RESDRU, recorded a decrease from 717 cases last year to 388 cases, or 45.89 percent lower. Of the recorded cases, health facilities admitted 270, or 69.59 percent, with zero fatalities. The majority of those affected are male (50.77 percent), with the most affected age group being 1-4 years old.
Bukidnon recorded the highest number of cases and attack rate for this disease at 180, or 46.39 percent, and 1.15 persons per 10,000 population, respectively. Misamis Oriental ranked second for the most number of acute bloody diarrhea cases at 112, followed by Iligan City with 28, Lanao del Norte with 26, Misamis Occidental with 25, Cagayan de Oro City with 17, and Camiguin with no cases recorded.
DOH-10 urges the public to seek medical attention at the nearest rural health center or hospital if symptoms of these five notifiable diseases appear. (JAKA/PIA-10)
