DOH notes spike in dengue cases, calls for clean up drive

COTABATO CITY - A health official in Region 12 admitted dengue cases is rising in the region but not in an alarming level.Dr. Frank Mateo, OIC regional director of Department of Health in the SOCCSKSARGEN region, said dengue is rising as well in other parts of Mindanao.In Cotabato City, Mateo said the number of dengue cases rose by one percent this year from previous year's data.Without providing statistical data, Mateo noted a slight increase in dengue cases in North Cotabato this year.Mateo believed and is convinced cleaning the surroundings, destroying possible breeding sites of dengue carrying mosquitoes is still the best prevention method.Dr. Kadil Jojo Sinolinding, Jr, health regional secretary for the ARMM, said dengue cases is rising in some provinces and going done in some areas.He attributed the slight hike in dengue cases to climate change and on and off downpour.Sinolinding called for community participation in cleaning the surrounding to prevent dengue from spreading. He stressed that everybody and everyone is vulnerable to disease and campaign against the deadly disease should be everybody's business.