CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Residents in this frontier capital city of Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao were warned Sunday of a possible resurgence of the dengue disease as a six year-old girl reportedly died while 26 others were confined at a local hospital here. All showed symptoms of the deadly disease.
The warning came from the local health office and city's legislative body as the rainy season has started in Northern Mindanao.
The 26 patients, mostly children, were confined at the government-owned J.R. Borja Memorial City Hospital here.
City Legislator Dante Pajo, chairman of the committee on health and public safety of the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP), warned that dengue cases might continue to rise and everybody, especially those in watery areas, must take extra precautionary measures.
Initial reports reaching the SP office said dengue has already hit the areas of Kauswagan, Bonbon and Bayabas and other parts of this city.
Last month, more than 20 persons were also reportedly confined at the city hospital here due to dengue.
Unconfirmed reports also reaching the SP office said some dengue patients have also been admitted in some private hospitals in the city.
Health authorities said dengue is caused by mosquitoes that usually thrive in unused rubber tires, stagnant waters, flower vases, containers and drums containing waters.
One of the early signs of dengue is fever, health authorities said.
They said the occurrence of dengue depends on the sanitation of the community.
Health authorities urged residents to clean their surroundings and environments daily.
Local leaders, particularly barangay officials and school authorities should help in dengue awareness campaign, health authorities added.
