DOH ATTENDING TO DENGUE PATIENTS, BUT LGUs URGED TO DOUBLE EFFORTS

– SECRETARY ONA

Press Release/7 September 2010

The Department of Health (DOH) today encouraged the public to maximize their health centers
for consultations before bringing their patient to the hospital in an effort to declog public
hospitals of long queues in the dengue express lane.

“Many dengue cases, if mild, can be managed at home or closely monitored by our local health
staff in the communities. Not all dengue cases require hospitalization”, Health Secretary
Enrique Ona emphasized even as he cited San Lazaro Hospital’s average of 500 consultations a
day with only 30 admitted as dengue cases.

Ona emphasized that the number of new cases has been going down since August except in
some cities of Metro Manila.  Dengue peaks during the rainy months, particularly during the
month of August.

The DOH disclosed that the number of cases nationwide from January to August 28 now totals
69,594.

This figure is 99% higher than last year’s 34,997 for the same period. There were 501 deaths
recorded this year. Last year, there were 369 deaths. The case fatality rate for dengue is lower
at 0.74 compared to 1.1 in the same period last year

Secretary Ona meanwhile cautioned local health authorities and the public not to let down
their guard against dengue although cases are expected to further go down.  He called on all
local government officials to remain vigilant and make sure that that their health centers and
hospitals are also ready to manage consultations for dengue and other diseases that occur
during the rainy season such as influenza, bronchitis, diarrheas and leptospirosis.

DOH recently devised a new D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy 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.

“Instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice the
D.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.

Ona advised the public to go straight to the emergency room if they exhibit dengue warning
signs.  Warning signs include severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting, red spots or patches
on the skin, signs of bleeding, black stools, drowsiness or decreased consciousness, difficulty of
breathing, and pale or cold clammy skin.

Ona has already issued an order to all DOH hospitals to activate their Dengue express lanes to
facilitate patient admission for these severe dengue cases.  Ona also appealed to chiefs of
public and private hospitals to set up additional wards and beds for dengue patients needing
confinement.

“Aside from these steps, I has also directed our DOH officials to temporarily suspend all out of
town seminars and trainings which involve our local health providers so that they can attend
more to dengue cases,” Ona said.

DOH reiterates 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 reiterating our call to all local government units (LGUs) to mobilize barangay dengue
brigades in their areas such as what is being done in Quezon City and Zamboanga City,” Ona
said, 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 also recognized the efforts of other government agencies to combat dengue such as the
initiative of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to conduct fogging activities in
public schools of Metro Manila where clustering of dengue cases have been reported.  He also
thanked the Department of Education (DepEd) for including dengue awareness campaigns in
their wellness programs in all public schools nationwide.