Health Authorities Alarmed By Increase In Pneumonia Cases In Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 18, 2008) – Local health authorities expressed alarm Thursday over the increasing cases of pneumonia after several deaths in children had been reported in recent weeks.

Cases of pneumonia in children have increased sharply from an average of 160 a month in 2007 to more than 400 each month this year. Although the exact numbers of deaths were not readily available for comparison, health officials urged parents to immunize their children and shield them from the deadly disease.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lung, and can be caused by nearly any class of organism known to cause human infections. These include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

It is also the most common fatal infection acquired by already hospitalized patients. In developing countries, pneumonia ties with diarrhea as the most common cause of death.

Dr Rodelyn Agbulos, chief of the Zamboanga City Health Office, said the increasing numbers of pneumonia cases, many in infants, was noted since July.

“We advice the public to take good care of their health and to practice good personal hygiene, parents must allow their children to be immunized in health centers, and to maintain a good and balanced nutrition and exercise regularly to enhance the immune system,” Agbulos told the Mindanao Examiner.

Antibiotics are usually given since most pneumonia cases are associated with bacterial infection. It is also important that the proper antibiotic is taken at the correct dosage, time and duration. Inability to do so may lead to resistant organisms that are more difficult to treat.

Agbulos said health workers have intensified their campaign in different villages to educate parents about the importance of immunizations and children’s health care. (Erico Rosco)

Dengue Fever Kills 6 In South RP

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 13 Jul) – Six people had died and some 430 others were infected by dengue in the southern Bukidnon province, the Philippine News Agency reported on Friday.

It said at least 11 towns were reported to have cases of the deadly disease.

Dr Josephine Ibalio, National Dengue Control Program coordinator in Bukidnon province, identified the areas as Valencia and Malaybalay cities, the towns of Damulog, Dangcagan, Don Carlos, Kalilangan, Maramag, Cabanglasan, Talakag, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Baungon and Quezon.

She said the dengue cases were from January to May only.

The Department of Health last week said it recorded more than 7,000 cases of dengue in the country since early this year. Last year, more than 6,800 people suffered from dengue.

Dengue is an infectious tropical disease caused by an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, and characterized by high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain. (Ben Balce)

3 Dead and 13 More Hospitalized Due To Virus In Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 20 Jun) – Three people have already died and more than a dozen others hospitalized due to diseases in the southern Filipino port city of Zamboanga, health officials said.

Dr Ricardo Angeles, head of the local epidemiology and surveillance unit, suspected viral gastroenteritis as the cause of the death of one of the victim. All the victims, from the remote village of Limpapa, suffered diarrhea.

“It may due to viral gastroenteritis,” he said.

The first death was reported June 8 and ten other villagers were also rushed to hospital. This was followed by two more deaths on June 17, Angeles said, adding, three more patients, also from the same village, had been rushed to the hospital.

Gastroenteritis is an acute infectious syndrome of the stomach lining and intestines and health experts said the symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

Angeles allayed fears of cholera outbreak. Dozens of people were also suffering from dengue fever in Zamboanga City, but television reports put the numbers at around 200.

Angeles said they have raised the dengue alert because of the rainy weather.

“We are on an alert level because cases of dengue continue to accelerate, as expected on the onset of rainy season. But we are still on the border line, the rise in dengue cases is not so overwhelming for public to panic,” he said.

The Department of Health said it recorded more than 7,000 cases of dengue in the country since early this year. Last year, more than 6,800 people suffered from dengue.

Dengue is an infectious tropical disease caused by an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, and characterized by high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain. (Mindanao Examiner)