Dr. Stevenson Kuartei during President Remengesau’s weekly press conference said that the numbers cover cases reported in the month of August and September.
The Ministry of Health has earlier declared a dengue fever outbreak in Palau after cases kept on rising.Kuartei said the cost of care for the month of August 2008 is $227,497.95 and that each patient hospitalization for a week amounts to $4,365.In Kuartei’s report, cases reported are mostly in Koror with 56. Cases were also reported in Aimeliik, Airai, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong and Ngiwal. He said that since the outbreak was declared and the national clean-up initiated, the number of cases has dramatically dropped.President Remengesau thanked the public for its efforts and encouraged them to continue to clean around their homes to eliminate garbage where Dengue mosquitoes thrive.Vice President Elias Camsek Chin who was tasked to spearhead the clean-up efforts said that the Koror State has already initiated their own clean-up.A high number of dengue fever cases is reported in Koror, and about 38 of the patients are those ages are ranging from 10 to 19 years old.Since January of this year, there are 155 confirmed cases.The task force meanwhile is awaiting the go signal from other states to launch a clean-up.Chin said the clean-up will include picking up of trash and getting rid of mosquito-breeding sites.
