MANILA, Philippines – Local authorities has placed Ballesteros town in Cagayan province under a state of calamity due to the alarming increase of dengue cases.

The calamity declaration came after the provincial health office of Cagayan province announced last week that the alarming increase in dengue cases in Ballesteros was already in outbreak proportions.

The provincial health office said that more than 70 dengue cases have been recorded in Ballesteros town in the first 3 weeks of July.

Vice-Mayor Vincent Unite said that the declaration allows the municipal government to release its calamity fund to prevent the spread of the disease.

The municipal health office has started residual spraying in affected village of Ballesteros town.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Cagayan said it has also started an intensified campaign against dengue in Claveria town, which has the second highest number of dengue cases in the province. – Report from Brigette Mayor, ABS-CBN Cagayan