Cagayan de Oro City — Northern Mindanao health officials warn that that region is not yet out of the “danger zone” as the deadly dengue virus infected 795 new patients bringing the region’s total number of cases to 17,701 from January 1 to as of August 17.
Dr. David Mendoza, head of the Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit of DOH Northern Mindanao, said the region had 70 deaths due to dengue despite the local government’s relentless information campaign and cleaning of mosquito breeding grounds.
“There are still no signs that the dengue cases are going down. We are still in the danger zone,” he said.
Bukidnon has the most number of cases in the region with 7,120 cases; followed by Misamis Oriental with 2,853 cases; Lanao del Norte with 2, 514 cases; Misamis Occidental with 1837 cases; and the island province of Camiguin with 270 cases.
This city reported 1,978 cases while Iligan City had 1,129 cases.
City Health Officer Dr. Fe Bongcas identified 10 barangays in the city with the highest dengue incidence. These are: Balulang, Bugo, Bulua, Canitoan, Iponan, Lapasan, Lumbia, Macabalan, Macasandig and Patag. (Rommel F. Lopez)