Months ahead of the rainy season which is a critical period for dengue fever, Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the City Health Services Office to begin implementing preventive programs against the disease to prevent the risk of an outbreak.
The proactive stance will include the resumption of “Denguerra – War against Dengue” program, an intensified campaign to mobilize barangays to conduct massive and simultaneous search and destroy operations every Thursday to weed out mosquito breeding sites, as well as other interventions to stop the reproduction of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
The mayor said dengue has been a serious health concern as every year, cases rise during the rainy season experienced from June to October.
“But as early as now, we need to observe preventive measures like ridding our surroundings of mosquito breeding places to make sure that dengue-carrying mosquitoes will not thrive,” the mayor said.
The CHSO through its year-round anti-dengue program which includes information-education-communication campaigns has always advised residents on practicing the 5S Strategy: Search and Destroy mosquito breeding ground; Self-protection measures (Use long sleeves and mosquito repellants and mosquito nets, install window screens); Say no to indiscriminate fogging, when there is no outbreak; Seek early consultation when symptoms are present; and stay healthy and hydrated.
Under the denguerra campaign, residents are urged to do surveillance by searching for areas like backyards, canals, drums, and tires where mosquitoes are active then overturn or spill the stored water where there are observed mosquito larvae or kiti-kiti. Remove the containers like cans, bottles and plastics bottles where mosquito can leave and discard or throw away the collected containers in proper disposal sites.
“Walang dengue kung walang lamok. Walang lamok kung walang breeding places. Walang breeding places kung malinis ang kapaligiran. Ugaliing mag-search and destroy at gawin nang sabay-sabay upang siguradong mawalan ng breeding places ang mga dengue-carrying mosquitoes,” Dr. Donnabel Panes, head of the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of the CHSO advised. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
