Dengue Alert

Zapatera has been declared as a calamity area after dengue cases in the barangay increased to 13 in just two weeks at the end of August.

The Cebu City Council took note that Zapatera only recorded four dengue cases from January to Aug. 6.

However, the number of cases rapidly increased to 13 since Aug. 7.

Zapatera used to have an average of six dengue cases in the past three years.

Zapatera barangay captain Jose Marino Benedicto, in a resolution, said the barangay has to prepare for a worse-case scenario and has to be equipped with the necessary medicines and supplies to deter the rise of dengue cases.

The barangay will use its calamity funds to purchase medicines, supplies, equipment and other materials to curb the disease.

The cases of dengue for the month of August increased to 299 compared to 128 recorded in the same period last year.

The City Health Department recorded 895 dengue cases from January to August this year.

August had the most number of cases at 299 compared to the previous months.

Records at the CHD showed that 106 dengue cases were reported in June and 186 in July.

Barangays Guadalupe had the most number of dengue cases at 67 with two deaths followed by barangays Kamputhaw with 60 cases with three deaths; Talamban with 50 cases and only one death; Labangon with 46 cases and three deaths; Basak San Nicolas with 45 cases and one death and Tisa with 39 cases and two deaths.

The numbers are based on the records from January to August 2009.