On the Dengue Incidence

THIS column commends the decision of Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III to “stand firm Tuesday, August 6, on its ban on the world’s first dengue vaccine while declaring a nationwide epidemic from the mosquito-borne disease that it said has killed hundreds this year.” Reportedly, dengue incidence shot up 98 percent to 146,062 cases from January 1 to July 20, causing 662 deaths, according to Secretary Duque in a news conference in which he announced a “nationwide dengue epidemic.” According to the World Health Organization, dengue or hemorrhagic fever “is most common mosquito-borne virus and infects an estimated 390 million people in more than 120 countries each year -- killing more than 25,000 of them.”

It may be recalled that in late November 2017 the Department of Health suspended school-based dengue vaccination after French vaccine maker Sanofy Pasteur made a statement that the product poses higher risk to people without prior dengue infection.

Secretary Dugue continues to stand his ground despite conflicting reports that as of July 8, the World Health Organization has cleared Dengvaxia for global use, even including it in the list of essential medicines that are safe and effective for public health. In the midst of the continuing vaccination scare it would seem that parents of our children have to contend with the traditional method of keeping them away from mosquitoes and treating them early as soon as the symptoms of dengue sets in.

TRIVIA: Greetings to my granddaughter Sofia, the only daughter of my son Arnel and his spouse Raquel, who is celebrating her birthday today. She is presently studying at the University of Berkeley in California, USA on scholarship.

Our compadre Totoy Reorizo and his lovely spouse Cora are sponsoring a fellowship dinner with some friends at their residence at Villagrande Homes this coming Friday, August 9.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “A DIPLOMAT IS A MAN WHO ALWAYS REMEMBERS A WOMAN’S BIRTHDAY BUT NEVER REMEMBERS HER AGE.” ROBERT FROST

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART.” PSALM 95