EU gives 100K euro to aid dengue outbreak areas in PH

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) has released 100,000 euros to help areas in the country hardest hit by the dengue outbreak.

In a statement released Friday, the aid will “directly and indirectly” help 300,000 families in some of the hardest hit areas in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Western Visayas and Metro Manila.

The financial aid was coursed through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the EU said.

The Department of Health (DOH) has declared a national dengue alert due to a spike in reported cases of the known illness caused by the female Aedes aegypti mosquito.

READ: DOH declares national dengue alert

The DOH said 5.744 new cases were reported  from June 30 to July 6.

The deadly disease has claimed 491 lives since the start of the year, according to the DOH. Meanwhile the health department has recorded a total of 115,986 dengue cases nationwide.

READ: Dengue woes: 5,000 new cases in just a week

Meanwhile, the EU added that it is also funding efforts by the PRC in “delivering crucial assistance through the strengthening of public health services, such as the establishment of dengue emergency medical units or hospital extension wards at local government hospitals, and the provision of nursing staff to respond to overwhelming dengue cases.”

Part of the funding will be used to remove mosquito larvae from water sources identified as breeding grounds for mosquitoes using biological control agents. The EU’s funding also aims to support a public information campaign on dengue.

“The funding also focuses on enhancing public awareness through health promotion activities and information dissemination to prevent and reduce new cases,” the EU statement said.  /muf