ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 19, 2012) – At least 20 villages in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga have been confirmed as having the highest number of “dengue” cases following an outbreak of the deadly disease in April.
Dr. Rodelyn Agbulos, head of the City Health Office, said they have launched a campaign dubbed “Zero Dengue. Act Now,” in an effort to rid mosquito-carrying virus in the villages.
“This program is primarily a clean-up drive which will be done in the villages of Zamboanga which has the largest number of cases of dengue fever. Zamboanga has already had a dengue outbreak last April and as a precautionary measure, the City Health Council has come up with this drive. The clean-up drive is also ideal because of the rainy season,” he said.
Agbulos said the clean-up drive will be spearheaded by the local government and various nongovernmental organizations, among others.
Dengue fever is caused by one of four different, but related viruses and it is spread by the bite of mosquitoes, most commonly known as the Aedes aegypti.
Symptoms of dengue fever begin with a sudden high fever, often as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit and may last up to 7 days after the infection. A flat, red rash may appear over most of the body for 2 to 5 days after the fever starts. A second rash, which looks like measles, appears later in the disease and infected people may have increased skin sensitivity.
Other symptoms include fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea and vomiting and swollen lymph nodes. (Joymarie Soler)
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