Two participants in the Palarong Pambansa held in Tacloban City were reported to have been diagnosed with dengue.

Both student athletes come from the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association (ZPRAA).

The Department of Health Regional Office VIII, however, was quick to clarify that the athletes did not acquire dengue in Tacloban.

“They traveled from Zamboanga to Tacloban by land. Maybe they got it while they were still in Zamboanga or while they were on their way here,” clarified Dr. Edgardo Daya, Information Communication Logistics Management Committee chairman of the Palarong Pambansa Medical Response Team.

One of the dengue-stricken athletes is ZPRAA softball player Criza Tabiliran.

After having been diagnosed with dengue, Tabiliran failed to join her team in their first game.

If they make it to the finals, Tabiliran said is ready to help her team win the gold medal.

An earlier report noted that the Tacloban Health Office began fogging operations last week at areas in the city where delegates will be billeted to make sure that participants will not contract dengue.

The health office gave priority to three different schools in response to a report concerning three athletes diagnosed with symptoms of dengue.

“Although it is not confirmed yet on whether it is dengue, we have to act immediately to prevent the feared infectious disease. We have to protect all the athletes,” said Dr. Jaime Opinion, City Health Officer.

Special games

Meanwhile, aside from the usual sporting events featured in this year’s games, the Palarong Pambansa also features special games for the blind and mentally-challanged.

Johnel Francisco, a mentally-challenged student from Davao, is one of the thousands of athletes from different regions in the country who participated in the national sporting event.

Francisco, 17, said he is set to reap gold medals after he got silver and bronze medals from the National Olympics held last March.

Roland Dodo, a blind athlete from Central Visayas, also got sweet success after he won in the 100-meter dash.

“I am inspired by my girlfriend, that’s why I won,” Roland said with a big smile on his face.

The Palaro special games include athletics and a special ball game called “Bocce.”