September 1, 2010 press release prepared by the

Department of Health
The Department of Health (DOH) today assured that many
dengue cases, if mild, can be managed at home and not all cases
require hospitalization even as the number of cases nationwide
from January to August 21 now rose to 62,503.

This figure is 88.8% higher than last year’s 33,102 for the same
period. There were 465 deaths recorded this year. Last year,
there were 350 deaths.

“Instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and

caregivers can practice theD.E.N.G.U.E. strategy. D.E.N.G.U.E.
stands for D – daily monitoring of patient’s status, E – encourage
intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices, etc, N – note any
dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding, G –
give paracetamol for fever and NOT aspirin, because aspirin
induces bleeding, U – use mosquito nets and E – early
consultation is advised for any warning signs”, Health Secretary
Enrique Ona said.
The new D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy has been devised by the DOH to
educate the public on home treatment of mild dengue cases. This
is to also help decongest hospitals by giving an assurance that
not all dengue cases require hospital confinement but can be
managed at home using the said strategy.

Ona also reiterated that the most effective way to prevent and
fight dengue is still by practicing the DOH’s 4-S strategy
consisting of Search and destroy, Self-protective measures, Seek
early treatment and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.
“We are urging all local government units to mobilize barangay
dengue brigades in their areas,” Ona explained, adding that a
once-a-week community-wide clean up drives against dengue will
help a lot in reducing cases. Measures include emptying of all
exposed containers and vases, old tires, coconut husks, and
plants of stagnant waters. Abandoned lots, houses and
establishments should also be included in the search-and-destroy
operations because these may have possible mosquito breeding
sites.

Ona revealed that most of the cases came from Western Visayas
(16.1%), CaLaBarzon (10.9%), Central Mindanao (10.5%), Eastern
Visayas (9.2%), National Capital Region (8.9%), Southern
Mindanao (8.1%) and Northern Mindanao (7.4%).

Ages of cases ranged from 1 month to 95 years old. Majority

(52%) of the cases were male. The most affected age group were
the 1-10 years while there were more deaths recorded in the less
than one year age group and the 1-10 years age group).

Ona disclosed that outbreaks were detected in Roxas City and

Iloilo City in Region VI and Zamboanga City in Region IX.

The health chief explained that a hotspot is defined as clustering

of cases with increasing number in the past four weeks. Hotspots
were observed in the several barangays in the following areas:
Lipa City and San Jose in Batangas (Region 4A); Puerto Princesa
City in Palawan (Region 4B); Kalibo, Aklan (Region VI); Tagbilaran
City, Bohol (Region VII); Pudtol, Apayao (CAR) and ; Kalookan and
Valenzuela in NCR.
On the other hand, clustering of cases occur when there are three
or more cases in a barangay in the past four weeks. Clustering of
cases was noted in many areas in different Regions of the
country.

At the National Capital Region, most of the cases were reported

from Quezon City.

“The increase in dengue cases can be attributed to the presence

of four different strains of the dengue virus circulating in the
country today, plus the fact that the country is experiencing the
El Niño phenomenon,” Ona elaborated, adding that continuous
rains is also responsible for the upsurge in cases.

To more strongly respond to the increasing number of dengue

cases, the DOH has ramped up efforts in its public education and
information campaign to schools and barangays since July in
coordination with its regional health offices and other concerned
government agencies such as the Department of Education
(DepEd) and the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG).

Secretary Ona has also reiterated the directive to activate all

dengue express lanes in DOH and to network with regional and
provincial blood centers where patients can access safe and clean
blood for transfusion in severe cases.

“There is still no cure or vaccine for dengue and that is why we

must focus on other cost-effective interventions, the most
important of which is source reduction — destroy the dengue-
carrying mosquitoes,” Ona emphasized.
The health department is currently looking into other potential
strategies to combat dengue such as the use of vaccines against
all four dengue strains, the genetic modification of the Aedes
mosquitoes which will render them less active in biting victims
and even local alternatives such as the use of “Tawa-tawa”, a
local herb that is being investigated for its curative properties
against dengue.
“We are on the lookout for the emerging science and trends
concerning dengue which can help us to more effectively fight the
disease in the future,” says Ona. “Meanwhile, we are doing
everything we can to arm the public with information and respond
to the medical needs of victims given the tools that are currently
available to us,” he added.

Ona reminded the public that dengue, although an all-year round

disease, is more common during rainy days when there are more
potential breeding grounds for the Aedes aegyptimosquitoes. To
prevent dengue, Ona advised the public to destroy all possible
mosquito breeding sites like old tires, softdrink bottles and tin
cans, and use mosquito nets or protective clothing. He also
stressed that fogging may be done only in outbreak areas.
Department of Health
Office of the Secretary
Building 1, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, 1003
Manila; Trunk Line: 743-83-01; Direct Line: 711-9501
Fax: 743-1829, 743-1786; URL: http://www.doh.gov.ph; e-
mail: osec@doh.gov.ph