00:00Top of the news, the dengue virus continues to take its toll on the country.
00:04In its latest epidemiological update of dengue cases in the country,
00:10the Ministry of Health says there are now eight laboratory-confirmed deaths and 712
00:16laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue fever. The number of deaths up to one day ago was six.
00:23The North Central Regional Health Authority is pulling out all the stops to ensure you stand
00:31the best chance against the dengue hemorrhagic fever. A walk-in clinic opens on Monday and
00:37a hotline is available to address all your concerns. Here's the story.
00:43The World Health Organization says since the start of 2023, ongoing transmission combined
00:49with an unexpected spike in dengue cases led to a historic high of over five million cases
00:56and more than 5,000 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries.
01:03So far, TNT has recorded some 666 laboratory-confirmed cases.
01:08The confirmed cases in itself is a stark increase to the numbers recorded since 2020.
01:15The incidence of dengue has seen a week-to-week exponential increase
01:19when it comes to the North Central Health Authority.
01:23It saw from as little as two to seven cases a week in January,
01:28with the authority now seeing as many as 180 per week.
01:33The World Health Organization says weaknesses in surveillance systems across the world
01:38in many affected countries may have led to delayed reporting,
01:42response and misidentification of symptoms, which contribute to increased severe dengue outcomes.
01:49Annual trends in TNT hold that dengue cases peak around October.
01:54But due to climate change and warmer temperatures, cases have surged earlier
01:59and it's not just in TNT, but in other dengue hotbeds across the world.
02:04The NCRHA has decided to open a screening center at the Cuva Hospital.
02:09This will allow people with early symptoms like fever,
02:12diarrhea and joint pain to walk in to be screened.
02:17This system, authorities say, will not only relieve the accident and emergency departments
02:22from patients who have been walking in and waiting alongside others with more severe conditions
02:28like gunshot wounds or broken limbs, but this will also reduce the waiting times for dengue patients.
02:35If a positive diagnosis is made at Cuva, patients can be observed for a period at that hospital,
02:42they can be transferred if necessary or discharged with medication
02:46and also be subject to telemedicine follow-ups.
02:50This facility will be available at Cuva from 8 am to 6 pm and it opens on Monday.
02:57The NCRHA has also launched its Dengue Hotline,
03:00where you will be able to call the number 663 3015
03:05to speak with trained staff for education and prevention tips.
03:09That facility will be available from 8 am to 10 pm daily.
03:14By bringing these services closer to the public, health authorities hope
03:18afflicted persons will not wait until it's too late to seek medical attention.
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