Ormoc City placed under state of calamity due to dengue outbreak

The local government of Ormoc City in Leyte declared a state of calamity due to the dengue outbreak in the area.

The 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod passed Resolution No. 2024-234 on Thursday in this regard, according to the local government unit's post on Facebook on Friday.

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez earlier requested the city council to declare a state of calamity due the rising number of dengue cases, based on the recommendations of the Ormoc City Health Board and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

A total of 444 cases of dengue were recorded from January 1, 2024 to August 3, 2024, City Health Officer Dr. Sarah Hermoso said in an emergency meeting with local government officials.

This was 225% higher than the number of cases in the same period last year.

"Dr. Hermoso explained that the data showed that at least 20% of the population is now affected with the epidemic," the resolution read.

The state of calamity will be in effect for one year from declaration but may be terminated earlier upon the recommendation of the CDRRMC.

The Department of Health (DOH) last month said dengue cases in the country began rising amid the rainy season.

In July, the number of dengue cases in the country hit the 18,000 mark, DOH data showed.

A total of 18,349 cases were recorded from June 30-July 13, which was higher than the 12,153 cases from June 16-29.

Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley, and Calabarzon all had a steady rise in dengue cases in the six-week period leading to July 27.

Year on year, DOH said that the cases jumped by 33% from 97,211 cases in 2023 to 128,834 cases in 2024.

DOH, however, noted fewer deaths due to dengue this year at 337, as compared to the 378 deaths during the same period last year.

The most common symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea, and rashes. Some may also experience pain behind the eyes, vomiting, and swollen glands.

Symptoms start 4 to 10 days after a bite from an Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

The DOH has been reminding the public to practice the 4S strategy against dengue: Search and destroy breeding places; Secure self-protection; Seek early consultation; and Support fogging or spraying in hotspot areas, especially now that the rainy season is here. —KG, GMA Integrated News