24 August 2005
Gastro rides with dengue onslaught; 236 now down
LINGAYEN – Even as dengue cases are still rising, gastro enteritis struck in Pangasinan, downing 236 people in San Jacinto alone as of the second week of August.
This was disclosed by Dr. Clarita Sabido, Medical Specialist III and chief of the Technical Services of the Provincial Health Office, who said most of the victims of gastroenteritis in San Jacinto were students, pupils and children. The number of cases listed was based on the number of patients registered in the town since May this year, Sabido clarified.
Municipal health officials however said there was no cause for alarm as only mild cases of gastroenteritis were noted in the town and those afflicted did not need hospitalization anymore.
Sabido said her office sent health teams to San Jacinto to conduct health education campaign among the people, especially food handlers, who may be serving contaminated food to their customers.
A report indicated that some, if not most, of those afflicted with gastroenteritis may have contracted the disease by eating contaminated food and water peddled by food shops inside and or outside schools.
Last year, gastroenteritis peaked in the province. Some 9,000 cases were recorded, at least 464 of these confirmed to be cholera.
On dengue fever cases, the PHO reported that there were 240 cases already recorded, at least 181 of which were confirmed to be dengue. Fifty-nine others were listed as suspected dengue cases.
Three persons were reported by the PHO to have died from dengue although separate reports by the Department of Health already listed seven deaths.
Sabido released statistics showing that most of the victims of dengue were aged 10 to 17 years old but she added that the disease had affected persons of all ages.
Top towns in number of dengue cases are Binalonan, 26; Sison, 15; Laoac, 11; Calasiao, 21; Malasiqui, 10; Mangaldan, 10; Mangaldan, 14; and Agno, 8.
She said, however, it is still too early to consider the situation an outbreak of dengue because the number of cases registered has not surpassed the more than 600 cases listed last year. (PNA)
This was disclosed by Dr. Clarita Sabido, Medical Specialist III and chief of the Technical Services of the Provincial Health Office, who said most of the victims of gastroenteritis in San Jacinto were students, pupils and children. The number of cases listed was based on the number of patients registered in the town since May this year, Sabido clarified.
Municipal health officials however said there was no cause for alarm as only mild cases of gastroenteritis were noted in the town and those afflicted did not need hospitalization anymore.
Sabido said her office sent health teams to San Jacinto to conduct health education campaign among the people, especially food handlers, who may be serving contaminated food to their customers.
A report indicated that some, if not most, of those afflicted with gastroenteritis may have contracted the disease by eating contaminated food and water peddled by food shops inside and or outside schools.
Last year, gastroenteritis peaked in the province. Some 9,000 cases were recorded, at least 464 of these confirmed to be cholera.
On dengue fever cases, the PHO reported that there were 240 cases already recorded, at least 181 of which were confirmed to be dengue. Fifty-nine others were listed as suspected dengue cases.
Three persons were reported by the PHO to have died from dengue although separate reports by the Department of Health already listed seven deaths.
Sabido released statistics showing that most of the victims of dengue were aged 10 to 17 years old but she added that the disease had affected persons of all ages.
Top towns in number of dengue cases are Binalonan, 26; Sison, 15; Laoac, 11; Calasiao, 21; Malasiqui, 10; Mangaldan, 10; Mangaldan, 14; and Agno, 8.
She said, however, it is still too early to consider the situation an outbreak of dengue because the number of cases registered has not surpassed the more than 600 cases listed last year. (PNA)
